The Effect of seed priming on germination, yield and the quality of sesame grains under deficit irrigation

Effect of seed priming on germination and seedling growth of sesame investigated under controlled conditions. The primed seeds with ZnSO4 had the maximum germination percentage whereas the highest germination rate was observed in hydro-primed seeds. The treated seeds with PEG showed the best growth of the seedlings and rootlet. The complementary field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of seed priming and irrigation intervals on the growth and the yield of sesame. A split plot experiment was carried out based on the RCBD with four replications in a field in Northwest of Shadegan during 2013-14 growing season. Main plots were irrigation intervals (irrigation after 150 and 250 mm evaporation from class-A evaporation pan) and sub plots were eight seed priming levels (as the laboratory test). The maximum plant height was observed in plants from the treated seeds with CaCl2 (5 percent) and irrigated after 150 mm evaporation from pan and the minimum plant height was observed from the no-primed seeds and irrigated after 250 mm evaporation from the pan. The highest and the lowest of 1000-seed weight achieved in plants from the treated seeds with hydro-priming and irrigated after 150 mm evaporation from the pan, and in plants from the non-primed seeds and irrigated after 250 mm evaporation from the pan, respectively. The maximum amounts of biological yield, seed yield, water use efficiency, oil yield, oil percentage and the minimum protein content were achieved in plants from the treated seeds with hydro-priming. Irrigation after 250 mm evaporation from the pan decreased the yield and yield components.