Standardization of Biophysical Factors Affecting the Seed Biopriming and its Influence on the Growth and Yield of Garden Cress ( <i>Lepidium sativum</i> L.)

Abstract The aim of the study was to examine the biophysical conditions necessary for seed biopriming of Lepidium sativum L. by investigating the different morphological parameters at various developmental stages of plant growth. In order to achieve maximum growth and yield, Trichoderma harzianum at a concentration 10 8 CFU/mL (colony forming unit/mL) suspended in 1% NaCl solution of pH 7 was used for the treatment of garden cress seeds and kept it for 16 hours at 20°C. Seed bio-priming with the combined application of Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma harzianum leads to highest germination percentage (98.89 ± 0.79%), average shoot (10.10 ± 0.14 cm) and root length (8.57 ± 0.29 cm) of seedlings, seed vigour index (1,846.22 ± 47.77), seed stamina index (18.46 ± 0.48), relative water content (93.1 ± 2.77%), and seed metabolic efficiency (0.31 ± 0.02 g/g) followed by the individual application of T. harzianum , T. asperellum as compared to untreated seeds. A similar result was found at the mature stage, where combined application of fungus possesses higher biomass (12.27 ± 0.29 g/plant), number of branches (16.6 ± 0.43 branches/plant), shoot length (59.27 ± 0.42 cm), root length (12.37 ± 0.79 cm) and yield (5.55 ± 0.11 g/plant) followed by individual application of T. harzianum , T. asperellum as compared to control. Overall, biopriming of garden cress seeds with the combination of T. harzianum and T. asperellum showed a viable strategy for improving crop growth and yield.