Effect of Seed Priming with Potassium Nitrate on the Performance of Tomato

Abstract

The seed industry and farmers have challenges, which include the production of poor quality and non-certified tomato seed, which ultimately results in decreased crop production. The issue carefully demands pre-sowing treatments using exogenous chemical plant growth-promoting substances. Therefore, to mitigate the above-stated problem, a series of experiments were conducted to improve the quality of tomato seeds (two cultivars, i.e., “Sundar” and “Ahmar”) and to enhance the stand establishment, vigor, physiological, and biochemical attributes under growth chamber and greenhouse conditions by using potassium nitrate (KNO3) as a seed priming agent. Seeds were imbibed in 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 KNO3 (weight/volume) for 24 h and then dried before experiments. The results of growth chamber and greenhouse screening show that experimental units receiving tomato seeds primed with 0.75% KNO3 in both cultivars performed better as compared to other concentrations and nonprimed control. Significant increase in final emergence (%), mean emergence time, and physiological attributes were observed with 0.75% KNO3. Collectively, the improved performance of tomato due to seed priming with 0.75% KNO3 was linked with higher activities of total soluble sugars and phenolics under growth chamber and greenhouse screening.

Impact of Sprouting under Potassium Nitrate Priming on Nitrogen Assimilation and Bioactivity of Three Medicago Species

“…Priming with KNO 3 improves seed germination, mineral composition, proline, amylase, and protein pattern [ 17 ]. It improves seedling establishment and vigor and has a remarkable role in the pre-sowing accomplishment of germination phases [ 18 ]. However, the detailed metabolic events induced by KNO 3 during the sprouting process are not quite understood.…”

Drought Stress Alleviation by Potassium-Nitrate-Containing Chitosan/Montmorillonite Microparticles Confers Changes in Spinacia oleracea L.

“…However, less water uptake resulted in significant decreases of K ions in the spinach leaves [8]. Exogenous application of KNO 3 as treatment can increase multiple physiological and biochemical mechanisms [16]. Additional KNO 3 increases the photosynthetic pigment contents, potassium content, and enhances plant growth and decreases sodium in moisture-stressed plants.…”

Improvement of Germination and Early Growth of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) through Modulation of Seed Metabolic Processes

“…Potassium nitrate, due to its nutritional value, in addition to acting as a salt, also has the property of a growth regulator, with a significant impact on plant mass [ 35 ]. Moaaz et al [ 24 ] confirmed that KNO 3 as a priming agent can significantly improve plant mass and growth. Moreover, a marked effect of these treatments in terms of vigor index was observed.…”

“…A significant effect of priming on the nutritional composition of radish was also noticed [ 23 ]. It has been previously confirmed that seed priming significantly helps plants to accelerate cell division, transport stored proteins, and accelerate seed germination [ 24 ].…”