In the presented work attempts have been made to explore effectiveness of the sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) seeds priming process in relation to seed quality and environmental conditions. This study was conducted in three different field stations in the years 2013-2015 using two lots of sugar beet seeds of the variety Janosik that differed in their level of vigour. In the laboratory and phytotron experiments, pelleted and non-pelleted seeds were used while in the field experiments only pelleted seeds were used. Seed priming was carried out using two patented technologies based on the solid matrix priming method. The results of this study indicate that pelleting can reduce both seed viability and rate of germination, especially in the early stages. Both priming methods positively influenced seed germination ability and speed. The efficiency of priming was higher in seeds with lower vigour than those with higher vigour. It follows that priming seeds, especially those with lower vigour is particularly efficient. As a result, seed loss during treatment can be reduced. The obtained data indicate that priming reduces the differences in germination and the course of emergence caused by different levels of seed vigour and germination conditions. The higher vigour of seeds caused by priming was associated with the acceleration of leaf development and the increase in plant dry matter during the growing season. As a result, seed priming contributes to a significant increase in the technological yield of sugar. It should also be noted that the average weight of single root is less variable during harvesting.

The effects of the physicochemical characteristics of pellets, when applied to sugar beet seeds originating from ten seed companies, on the germination of pelleted seeds were assessed. The most significant factor was the force necessary to break the pellet, which was found to positively correlate with pellet's abrasion resistance, and negatively with pellet's water resistance. Pellets dissolved in water, characterized by low water resistance, negatively affected germination under the conditions of excess water in the filter paper. A low water potential of pellets inhibited seed germination, particularly with the shortfall of water in the germination medium. The water flow between the pellet and the pericarp was of much importance for germination. Under the conditions of the shortfall and excess of water in the germination medium, the physicochemical properties pellets had a greater effect on the drawing of water, and on the water flow between the pellet and the seeds, than under the optimum moisture conditions. Organic pellets were characterized by a greater ability to absorb water than mineral or organic-mineral pellets. The pellets varied in their chemical composition, with the greatest variation (over ninety-fold) relating to pellet's copper content. The following values exhibited low variety: Zn, Mn, and Pb. It can be concluded that pellet's cracking force and water resistance are the basic parameters of pellet quality, and the swelling ability of pellets is determined by their organic or monaural composition. K e y w o r d s: swelling ability, total porosity, water potential, water content