Seed fortification with calcium sulphate enhances germination indices, growth and nutrient concentrations in Rhodesgrass ( <i>Chloris Gayana</i> Kunth.)

ABSTRACT A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Ca seed fortification on germination, seedling establishment and tissue nutrient concentrations in rhodesgrass. Calcium sulphate (CaSO 4 ) seed coating (SC) and seed priming (SP) were the two nutrient seed fortification (NSF) methods. The treatments (in g CaSO 4 kg −1 seed) for seed coating were 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, and 4 (referred to as SC‐rate). The priming treatments (in per cent CaSO 4 in the priming solution) were 0 (hydro‐primed), 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0% (referred to as SP‐rate). Seed coating at 2 g CaSO 4 kg −1 seed (SC‐2) improved germination percentage (15.4%), germination index (19.7%), seedling emergence percentage (17.6%), seedling vigour index (53.2%), root dry weight (20.8%) and shoot dry weight (30.8%) when compared with control (SC‐0). The Ca and sulphur (S) concentrations in seedlings were also improved (36.5% and 52.2% respectively) in SC‐2. The CaSO 4 seed priming showed minimal effect on root and shoot length while the rest of the parameters were not affected. The study reveals that calcium seed fortification through seed coating at 2 g CaSO 4 kg −1 seed improves early plant establishment and enhances tissue nutrient concentrations (Ca, S) in rhodesgrass.