Effects of Different Organic Seed Pretreatments on Germination and Early Seedling Development of Mung Bean [Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek]

Abstract

The productivity of mung beans [Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek] is harshly affected by patchy plant stands due to uneven seed germination. Seed priming can improve crop emergence and establishment, which are thought to be the primary causes of crop success. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of priming agents on mung beans. The experiment was carried out at the Horticulture Lab of College of Natural Resource Management, Bardibas, Mahottari, Nepal. This research consisted of 6 treatments (T1; control, T2; 5 % cow urine solution, T3; tap water, T4; 5 % Moringa leaf extract solution, T5; 5 % Neem leaf extract solution, and T6; 5 % Aloe Vera sap solution) with 3 replications and laid out in a complete randomized design (CRD). The seeds were soaked for 24 hours in Osmo priming solution and dried for 2 hours at room temperature before sowing. The germination and seedling development parameters (i.e. speed of germination, germination %, root length, shoot length, dry weight, seed vigor index 1, seed vigor index 2) were recorded and analyzed. The data revealed that all germination parameters of mung beans were highly affected by seed priming. The highest germination % (85.55 %), fresh weight (0. 3737 g), dry weight (0.02563 g), seed vigor index 1 (1942) and seed vigor index 2 (2.192) were observed in 5% Aloe Vera sap solution. Highest speed of germination (22.75 seeds/day) was observed in 5% cow urine solution followed by 5% Aloe Vera sap solution i.e. (22.43 seeds/day). The highest root length (5.04 cm) was recorded in 5% Neem leaf extract solution and shoot length (19 cm) in 5% Moringa leaf extract solution, followed by 5% Aloe Vera sap solution, i.e., (18.46 cm). Seed priming using aloe vera sap solution was found effective in mung beans to increase germination, crop establishment, seed and seedling vigor.