EVALUATION OF SEED PRIMING ZINC TREATMENTS IN CHICKPEA FOR SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT UNDER ZINC DEFICIENT CONDITIONS

Abstract

Abstract Seed priming zinc (Zn) treatments were evaluated in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cv. 'K-850' for seedling establishment under Zn deficient conditions in sand culture. Chickpea seeds were primed for 6 h in 0 (water), 20, 50 and 100 mg Zn L−1 as zinc sulfate (ZnSO4). Seedlings were supplied with the nutrient solution at 0.001 μM (low) Zn supply while a set of hydro-primed seeds was also supplied normal (1μM) Zn. Priming of chickpea seeds with 20, 50 and 100 mg Zn L−1 effectively improved the Zn status of seedlings and their establishment in Zn deficient conditions by increasing the dry mass, seed Zn, Zn uptake and translocation at low Zn relative to hydro-primed seeds at normal Zn. Seed Zn treatments also increased the lowered activities of Zn containing enzymes, carbonic anhydrase and superoxide dismutase in leaves at low Zn and a reverse of it in that of acid phosphatase and peroxidase. Keywords: chickpeaseedling establishmentseed primingZn deficiencyZnSO4 treatment