Seed Priming Influence on Early Crop Growth,Phenological Development and Yield Performance of Linola (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Reduced early crop growth and limited branching are amongst yield limiting factors of linola. Field response of seed priming treatments viz. 50 mmol L^?1 salicylic acid (SA), 2.2% CaCl₂ and 3.3% moringa leaf extract (MLE) including untreated dry and hydropriming controls was evaluated on early crop growth and yield performance of linola. Osmopriming with CaCl₂ reduced emergence time and produced the highest seedling fresh and dry weights including Chl. a contents. Osmopriming with CaCl₂ reduced crop branching and flowering and maturity times and had the maximum plant height, number of branches, tillers, pods and seeds per pod followed by MLE. Increase in seed weight, biological and seed yields was 9.30, 34.16 and 39.49%, harvest index (4.12%) and oil contents (13.39%) for CaCl₂ osmopriming. Positive relationship between emergence and seedling vigor traits, 100-seed weight, seed yield with maturity time, 100-seed weight and seed yield were found. The study concludes that seed osmopriming with CaCl₂ or MLE can play significant role to improve early crop growth and seed yields of linola.