Influence of Indole-3-butyric acid and Dihydrozeatin seed priming on early seedling development in Jowar and Bajra

The aim of the current study is to assess the impact of Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) and Dihydrozeatin (DHZ) priming on the early development of Jowar (Sorghum vulgare) and Bajra (Pennisetum glaucum). To fulfill the objective of the current study, two separate experiments were conducted following the completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications along with a control experiment. Priming of the ten seeds of both the selected crops was performed with four different concentrations (0.64, 1.34, 2.01, and 2.68 mg/l) of IBA and DHZ for 24 hours. Thereafter the seeds were incubated for 7 days at laboratory conditions {temperature (27ºC), humidity (65%), light (900 Lux for 12 hours)}. The results revealed that there were significant differences in the germination percentage (3-10% increase in P. glaucum (PG) and 3-8% increase in S. vulgare (SV) in comparison to control at 2.01mg/l exposure of DHZ and 2-9% increase in PG and 0-8% increase in SV in comparison to control at 2.01mg/l exposure of IBA), root length (1.9cm increase in both PG and SV in comparison to control at 1.34mg/l exposure of DHZ and 2.8cm increase in PG and 3.0cm increase SV in comparison to control at 1.34mg/l exposure of IBA), and shoot length (2.1cm increase in PG and 1.9cm increase in SV in comparison to control at 1.34mg/l exposure of DHZ and 3.0cm increase in both PG and SV in comparison to control at 1.34mg/l exposure of IBA ) between the priming and non-priming treatment seed. The optimum treatment in both trials was seed priming with IBA and DHZ at the concentration of 1.34 mg/l for 24 hours for root length and shoot length, while the germination rate was maximum at 2.01 mg/l for 24 hours for both hormones. The results of the current study highlight the potential of hormonal priming as a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach for improving crop establishment and productivity, particularly under stress-prone conditions.