Priming Methods: Alternative Strategy to Improve Seed and Seedling Performance of Soursop (Annona muricata)

The evaluation of seed priming methods on the seed and seedling performance of soursop was conducted January 9 to April 3, 2019 in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of seed priming methods capable of breaking dormancy; improve germination rate; determine the seed vigor of soursop; and identify the best seed priming method that provide better seedling performance. The experimental treatments (unprimed and three priming methods, hydropriming, halopriming and hormonal priming) were laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications. A total of 20 polyethylene bags were used per treatment per replication with one seed sown in every bag.

Alternative way to improve seed and seedling performance is the use of these seed priming methods. The seed and seedling performance of soursop were significantly affected by priming methods. Primed seeds had higher percentage germination rate (PGR) than unprimed seeds. But numerically, the highest PGR was hydropriming. Hormonal priming produced significantly taller seedlings at 10 and 40 days after emergence (DAE) than unprimed seeds and more leaves per seedling at 30 to 50 DAE. Hormonal, hydropriming and halopriming produced significantly higher fresh weight of seedlings than unprimed seeds.