Hydropriming treatments for improved germination and early seedling growth of mungbean seeds (vigna radiata [l.]. r. wilczek)

Hydropriming treatments in freshly harvested mungbean seeds (cv. Sabitri) showed a significant improvement on early seedling growth as measured by root and shoot length of the seedlings than the untreated control. The short duration soaking followed by lightly air-drying treatment (0.5 h to 4 h) along with pre-conditioning treatments viz. moist sand conditioning for 12 h and moist sand conditioning followed by soaking for 1 h have shown better results in improving vigour of the seedlings (root and shoot length). Long duration showed adverse effect on germinability. The studies on membrane functions as determined by electrical conductance and leaching of sugar revealed that reduced leakage of electrolytes and sugar were noted in the short duration priming treatments (0.5 h to 4 h soaking) and pre-conditioning treatments viz. moist sand conditioning as well as moist sand conditioning followed by soaking treatments (0.5h to 4 h) than the untreated control. Long duration soaking showed adverse effect on germination percentage and a marginal improvement on enzyme activity. On the basis of the results of the present investigation, short duration hydropriming treatment alongwith pre-conditioning treatments viz. moist sand conditioning and moist sand conditioning followed by soaking and then lightly air-drying may be employed in improving early germination and seedling growth of mungbean seeds.