Seed Priming in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): A Review of Physiological and Biochemical Mechanisms, Stress Tolerance and Crop Productivity

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse crop with a major role in food and nutritional security, particularly in semi-arid regions where water availability and soil fertility often limit crop productivity. Improving crop establishment at the early growth stage is therefore essential for achieving stable yields under both normal and stressful growing conditions. Seed priming is a simple and relatively low-cost technique that can improve the physiological performance of seeds before sowing. The present review discusses the role of seed priming in improving germination, seedling establishment, growth, yield and stress tolerance in chickpea, with emphasis on the underlying physiological and biochemical processes. Priming treatments such as hydropriming, osmopriming, halopriming, biopriming, nutrient priming, hormonal priming, nanopriming, on-farm priming and matrix priming have been discussed. Controlled hydration during priming activates important metabolic processes before germination, including membrane repair, respiration, enzyme activation and mobilization of stored food reserves. Increased activity of enzymes such as α-amylase, protease and dehydrogenase supports rapid energy supply and early seedling growth, while enhanced antioxidant activity helps reduce oxidative damage under stressful conditions. Different priming approaches have also been reported to improve germination uniformity, seedling vigour, root development, nutrient uptake, nodulation and crop establishment. The benefits are particularly relevant under drought, salinity, delayed sowing and other marginal growing conditions. Overall, seed priming offers a practical approach for strengthening early crop establishment and improving the resilience and productivity of chickpea. Its simplicity, relatively low input requirement and compatibility with sustainable farming practices make it a promising component of climate-resilient chickpea production.