Evaluation of the effect of seed hydro-priming and application of Agrotin organic fertilizer on seed germination, growth indices, and yield of wheat

To evaluate the effect of hydropriming and Agrotin organic fertilizer on seed germination, growth indices, and grain yield of three dryland wheat cultivars, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was done in Delfan, Lorestan province during 2016-2017. Experimental factors included organic fertilizer in two levels (consumption and non-consumption), seed hydro-priming at two levels (prime and non-prime), and three dryland wheat cultivars (Baran, Ouhadi, and Azar 2). The results of the experiment showed that the characteristics of average duration and germination speed coefficient, number of tiller per plant, crop growth rate, a hundred seed weight, leaf area index, chlorophyll index, and seed yield were influenced by all treatments. However, the germination percentage and germination speed were significant in the Agrotin and priming treatments. The interaction effect between Agrotin and priming treatments on germination speed and the number of tillers per plant was significant. Agrotin consumption also increased the efficiency of wheat seeds primed. The highest grain yield was obtained by applying Agrotin and priming (2504 kg/ha) and the lowest (1755 kg/ha) in non-application of the treatments. Ouhadi cultivar with a yield of 1944 kg/ha had a higher grain yield than the other cultivars. It seems that the use of organic fertilizers and hydropriming is a suitable solution for greater availability of nutrients and increasing wheat growth and yield.