Research at UAF - Demonstration of seed priming for enhancing cereal yields under normal conditions
Principal Investigator: Dr. Shahzad Maqsood Ahmed Basra
Phone: 9200161 Ext. 2949
Email: shahzadcp@gmail.com
Team Member: Dr. Irfan Afzal & Mr. Hafeez ur Rehman
Phone: 9200161 Ext. 2949
Email: irfanuaf@gmail.com & hafeezcp@gmail.com
Duration: 3 years
Cost: 0.224 Million
Funding Agency: Endowment Fund Secretariat (EFS), UAF

Progress Reports

Abstract
The project is aimed for demonstration of seed priming technology to improve the crop stand and yield performance in wheat under late sown, direct seeded rice and spring planted maize at UAF Technology Park. The optimized priming techniques; hydropriming, osmopriming with CaCl2 and moringa leaf extract diluted to 1:30 times will be employed under field condition for each of these crops. The data regarding seedling emergence, and yield related traits will be collected using standard procedures and will be analyzed with appropriate techniques. Results will be shown and disseminated through Kisan melas, exhibitions events at University and demonstration plots will be available for visit to the students, growers and visitors.

Problem statement
Poor and erratic crops stands due to poor quality seed often of low vigor, viability and purity, untimely crop sowing hinders to achieve the optimum plant population and high yield in many field crops such as wheat, rice, maize under normal as well adverse soil condition. Seed priming is a doable technology and its farmer’s field appraisal has shown to improve the crop stand and yield performance in wheat under late sown condition, direct seeded rice and spring planted maize. Keeping in view the immense importance in order to target the issue, this project has been designed in order to demonstrate this low cost and farmer’s friendly technology for visit of farmers, growers and students at Kisan Melas and exhibition events.

Objectives
To demonstrate seed priming technology for wheat, direct seeded rice and spring planted maize for economic utilization of normal soils.

Methodology

Activities

Location

Methodology

(a) Planting of wheat by seed priming under normal conditions during rabi season 

Technology Park, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Hydroprimed and haloprimed seeds will be sown under normal conditions.

(b) Growing of maize by seed priming during spring  

Technology Park, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Primed seeds will be sown under normal conditions.

(c) Planting of direct seeded rice by seed priming during kharif season

Technology Park, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

Hydropriming and osmopriming will be used.

Results & Discussions
Appraisal of seed priming techniques at farmer’s field has proved its potential to overcome low plant population yield constraint and reduce the gaps between actual and potential yield often achieved under field conditions. Seed priming techniques at various farmers’ field particularly osmopriming/osmohardening with CaCl2 enhanced direct seeded rice by (10%) by improving seedling stand due to earlier emergence and vigorous seedling growth.
Conclusions
Seed priming with CaCl2 (2%) has been successfully employed to improve the crop stand and yield performance in direct seeded rice.
Recommendations
Seed priming techniques in particular osmohardening with CaCl2 can be successfully employed to achieve the crop stand of uniform plant densities with vigorous seedling growth with better yields.