Effect of seed priming and seed dressing on germination and growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

This research is conducted to examine the impacts of several seed treatments such as scaling of seed on early growth and other developmental parameters of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crop. The vigorous seeds of cotton genotype “GH-Uhad” were sown in different growth media including loamy soil, brick red soil, ash, press mud, bio-fertilizer and in control zone after treatment with amino acids, potash, sugar, moringa leaf extract, and water. Results showed that only 2.5 days were taken to exhibit the shortest mean emergence time with ash and bio-fertilizer treatment and the longest time with 5.2-5.23 days were required with loam and press mud. For growth parameters, the tallest cotton plants (47 cm) were measured with highest fresh shoot (43.5 g) and fresh root (4.3 g) weight with loam and PGR (plant growth regulator) Treatment in comparison of press mud treatment with shortest plant height (33.5 cm), lowest weight of fresh shoot (14.4 g) and fresh root (1.5 g). In case of dry root weight, loam and PGR treatments displayed the highest weight (1.34 g), while the press mud had the lowest (0.39 g). In addition, the longest root length (21 cm) was recorded with the treatments of loam and PGR however the brick red Treatment had the shortest root length (11.75 cm). Overall, the results demonstrate that seed dressing with bio-fertilizers, especially in loam soil, can significantly enhance cotton germination and early growth, suggesting its potential for improving cotton crop performance in arid regions. © 2021 The Author(s)