Effect of Various Priming Methods on Germination of Green Gram (Vigna radiata), Black Gram (Vigna mungo) and Chick Pea (Cicer arietinum)

Priming is a process of biological seed treatment which includes inoculation of seed with beneficial microorganisms, water, chemicals, fertilizers (biological aspect) and seed hydration (physiological aspect) to promote the seed germination and to protect the seed from various stresses including seed- and soilborne diseases. Priming treatment is able to incite changes in plant characteristics and facilitate uniform seed germination and growth . Seeds of mung bean (Vigna radiata), black gram (Vigna mungo), Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) were primed with biofertilizers (Azospirillum, Phosphobacteria, Tricoderma viridae), water and chemical (NaCl). Biopriming of Green gram (Vigna radiata) and Black gram (Vigna mungo) with Trichoderma 20% for 6h was found to be the best priming treatment for improving the rate of germination, vigor index and biomass production. Meanwhile biopriming of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) with Azospirillum 10% was found more effective in increasing the rate of germination, vigor index and biomass production.