Improving Germination Efficiency and Seedling Growth in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) through Seed Soaking with Phosphorus and Calcium

Phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) are essential macronutrients that play crucial roles in plant growth and development. While the individual effects of these nutrients on plant growth are well-documented, their synergistic effects when applied together through seed soaking remain underexplored. Therefore, in this work, the effects of P and Ca on the germination and early growth of Lactuca sativa L. seedlings via soaking method were investigated. Seeds were imbibed with varying concentrations of P and Ca, and germination percentage, development of autotrophic organs, chlorophyll content, and biomass accumulation were measured at specific time points to assess treatment effects. Results revealed that seeds treated with 60 ppm P and 38.7 ppm Ca exhibited complete germination after 3 days of sowing, which was 15% higher than the control sample, and accelerated embryo emergence within just 2 days (95% germination). Additionally, seedling growth was significantly higher, with root and shoot lengths improving by 19 and 42%, respectively. Nutrient treatment also enhanced photosynthetic efficiency through increased leaf area and biomass accumulation in seedlings. These findings suggest that balanced supplementation of Ca and P during seed soaking can effectively improve germination and early seedling development, highlighting the potential for this seed treatment approach to enhance crop yield and quality.