Effect of hydropriming on morphological and physiological performance of aged groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds

Low viability and poor vigour due to seed deterioration are major problems for successful agricultural production. In this experiment, the ability of hydropriming to ameliorate seed deterioration damage was studied in groundnut. Groundnut seeds were subjected to accelerated ageing for 96 hours at 40 °C and then hydroprimed at 25 °C for 6, 12 and 18 hours. Regardless of duration, hydropriming significantly improved final germination percentage, germination rate, seedling length, vigour index, antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase),soluble sugars and proteins of aged seeds. Mean germination time, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content of primed seeds decreased compared to non-primed seeds. Hydropriming for 6, 12 and 18 hours increased final germination to 15.54, 31.56 and 89.7 %, germination rate by 9.42, 66.6 and 95.6 % and vigour index by 29.11, 82.2 and 204.6 % compared to non-primed seed, respectively. Thus, hydropriming for 18 hours is the most suitable priming period to recover loss of seed quality and to improve germination characteristics of aged groundnut seeds.