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Effect of seed priming with zinc, boron and manganese on seedling health in
carrot (DaucuscarotaL.)

Article · January 2013

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International Journal of Agriculture and Crop Sciences.
Available online at www.ijagcs.com
IJACS/2013/5-22/2697-2702
ISSN 2227-670X ©2013 IJACS Journal

Effect of seed priming with zinc, boron and

manganese on seedling health in carrot
(DaucuscarotaL.)
Muneeb Munawar1*, Muhammad Ikram1,Mudassar Iqbal1,MuhammadMuzaffar Raza1,
Sajida Habib1,Ghazanfar Hammad1, Muhammad Najeebullah1,Muhammad Saleem1
andRabiaAshraf2
1. Vegetable Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2. Institute of Horticulture, UAF, Faisalabad, Pakistan

*Corresponding Author email: muneeb.pbg@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT: Poor germination, week seedlings and less plant population are major causes of low carrot
yield. Micronutrients play an important role in germination and seedling establishment. Three
micronutrients i.e. zinc, manganese and boron were used to study the effect of seed priming on
germination and seedling establishment in carrot. A triplicated randomized complete block experiment
was designed with 11 treatments viz. Zn (1%, 1.5% and 2%), Mn (1%, 1.5% and 2%), B (1%, 1.5% and
2%), water soaked and untreated/dried (control). Significant differences were observed among treatments
for emergence percentage and other seedling traits observed. Seed priming with boron solution inhibited
the germination. Highest emergence percentage, rate of emergence, vigor index, hundred seedling
weight were observed in case of seed priming with Zn (1.5%) solution. Mn (1.5%) and Mn (2%) solution
showed highest mean shoot length and root length respectively.
Keywords: Seed priming, Boron, Zinc, Manganese, Osmopriming, Carrot, Seedling health

INTRODUCTION

Carrot productivity in developing world including Pakistan faces many constraints. One of them is reduced
plant population. Poor and erratic germination is key cause of sub optimum plant population (Hussainet al.
2006).Different micronutrient like Zn, Mn, Cu, B and Mo are becoming deficient in soil with increasing cropping
intensity (Malakoutiet al. 2009).About 70% of cultivated area in Pakistan is zinc deficient. Zinc deficiency is 3rd the
most important soil nutrition issue after nitrogen and phosphorus in Pakistan (Rashid, 1996). These nutrients play a
vital role in germination and healthy seedling establishment in carrot. Seed treatment with micro nutrients is an
attractive and cost effective alternative to soil reserves of these elements (Farooq et al. 2012).Seed priming is an
old practice. Seed priming usually increases germination rate and growth rate of plant. Seed priming with
micronutrient is more successful and responsive in vegetables (Kaur et al. 2002). Carrot seed priming causes
uniform germination and better seedling establishment in field (Eisvandet al. 2011). Seed priming with zinc
improves crop emergence and seedling establishment(Farooq et al. 2012). Seed priming with zinc accelerates the
metabolism of seed. Seedling establishment in rice was improved after seed priming in 0.001% and 0.1% boron
solutions (Rehmanet al. 2012).Boron is important for cell division elongation, translocation and cell wall
development (Iqbal et al. 2012). It also plays a vital role in plant growth, its deficiency causes low grain yield
(Rahman etal. 2012).Manganese is important in nitrogen metabolism and photosynthesis (Stout and Arnon, 1939).
Seed priming with manganese also improves seedling establishment (Farooq et al. 2012). In wheat seed priming
with manganese significantly improves growth rate and grain yield (Khalid and Malik, 1982).
Very little work has been done focusing effect of micronutrients seed priming on germination and seedling
establishment in carrot. In this study effect of seed priming with zinc, boron and manganese on germination and
seedling health in carrot was studied.
Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 5 (22), 2697-2702, 2013

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The trial was done in research form of vegetable research institute , Faisalabad in November -2012 located
between 73°74 East longitude and 30°31.5 North latitude. Experiment was laid out in triplicated randomized
complete block design. A newly developed carrot cultivar DC-3 was used in this trial.
Three micronutrient elements i.e. zinc (znso4), Manganese (MnSO4) and Boron (H3BO3) were used for
priming purpose. Solutions of 1%, 1.5% and 2% concentrations of each micronutrient were made.One seed sample
was also soaked in water for same period of time. The dried (non-treated) seed was used as standard. Seed
samples were soaked in respective solutions for 24 hours. The seed weight to solution volume ratio was kept 1:5 (g
-1
mL ) (Ruanet al.2002). After soaking for 24 hours,Seeds were surface washed with distilled water (Khan, 1992)
and air dried to original weight for 12 hours. Seed was sown in furrows 20 cm apart and plant to plant distance was
kept 8 cm. After sowing, seed was covered with soil. Sowing depthwas kept almost 2 cm (Eisvandetal.2011). After
sowing field was irrigated with siphon tubes. Field was visited on daily basis and data was recorded for germination
and seedling traits.
Aftercomplete emergence, emergence percentage (EP) was calculated asthe cumulative emerged seeds
with normal radicles and plumule by following equation (Larsen and Andreasen, 2004).
Σn
EP = × 100
N
Where n is number of seeds emerged at each counting (after 24 hours) and N is total number of seeds.
The rate of emergence (RE) was calculated using equation described by Agrawal, 2004.

n
E=∑

Where ni is number of seedlings emerged on ith day and Di is number of days from day of sowing. j was
kept 10 in this experiment.
After 25 days of sowing, 100 continuousguarded carrot plants were uprooted from each plot, and root and
shoot length were measured separately with ruler in centimeters, and averaged, to get mean root length (RL) and
mean shoot length (SL). 100 seedlings used for measurement of root and shoot length were weighted on electronic
balance to measure hundred seedlings weight (HSW) in grams.Vigor index (VI) was calculated using formula of
described by Baki and Anderson (1922).
VI = (M L + MSL) × EP
MSTATC software was used to perform analysis of variance according to randomized complete block
design and treatment means showing significant F values were compared using least significance test at α =
0.05(Steel et al. 1997).

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed among different manganese andzincconcentrations for all
traitsstudied.Seed samples treated with boron solutions (1%, 1.5% and 2%) showed very poor to no germination.
So seed samples treated with boron solution were not included in further study.Maximum emergence percentage,
rate of emergence, vigor index, and hundred seedling weight was observed in case of Zn 1.5 % solution. Seed
treated with manganese 1.5% solution showed highest root length and shoot length.

Table 1. Mean comparison of some seedling traits among different priming treatments in DC-3
Treatment EP (%) RE VI HSW (gm.) MRL (cm) MSL (cm)
BC B AB CD A A
Zn (1%) 72.3 4.83 1505.7 4.34 7.07 13.77
A A A A A A
Zn (1.5%) 81.0 5.60 1760.0 5.73 7.40 14.40
CD A B BC A A
Zn (2%) 67.7 5.60 1449.1 4.76 7.40 13.93
DE B B BC A A
Mn (1%) 65.0 4.57 1363.1 4.72 6.97 13.87
CDE B B BC A A
Mn (1.5%) 66.3 4.93 1448.5 4.75 6.97 14.83
E B BC D A A
Mn (2%) 60.3 4.80 1260.4 3.83 7.53 13.30
AB B C B B B
Water 75.0 4.60 1006.7 4.89 5.70 7.77
Untreated DE B D D C B
61.0 3.83 730.0 4.11 4.63 7.33
(Control)
**
Mean Square 151.595** 0.990 305471** 0.986** 3.095** 27.531**
LSD 6.81 0.41 258.46 0.54 0.92 2.74
CV 5.67 4.84 11.22 6.60 7.82 12.60

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(EP) Emergence percentage, (RE) Rate of emergence, (VI) Vigor index, (HSW) Hundred seedling weight,
(RL) Mean root length, (SL) Mean shoot length, (**) significant at α = 0.05
Emergence percentage andvigor index were reduced by increasing zinc concentration from 1.5% to 2% whilethere
was no significant effect of increasing zinc concentration on rate of emergence, root length and shoot length.

Emergence Percentage (EP)

100.0 81.0 75.0
72.3
Emergence Percentage

80.0 67.7 65.0 66.3 60.3 61.0

60.0
40.0
20.0 3.5 0.0 0.0
0.0

Treatments

Figure1. Effect of priming treatments on emergence percentage.

Rate of Emergence (RE)

6.00 5.60 5.60 5.57
4.83 4.93 4.80
Rate of Emeergence

5.00 4.60
3.83
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
Zn (1%) Zn (1.5%) Zn (2%) Mn (1%) Mn (1.5%) Mn (2%) Water Untreated
Treatments

Figure2. Effect of priming treatment on rate of emergence.

Untreated /driedseed sample showed least rate of emergence, vigor index, root length and shoot length.
While least emergence percentage & hundred seedling weightwas observed in case of manganese 2 % solution.
Seed sample treated with simple water showed significantly high emergence percentage and hundred seedling
weightthan non-treatedseed sample, while no significant difference were observed for vigor index, root length and
shoot lengthamong soaked and dried seed sample. No significant increase was observed in emergence
percentage, rate of emergence,vigor index,mean root length and mean shoot length by increasing manganese
concentration from 1% to 2%. However Manganese 2%solution showed significantly less hundred seedling weight
than Manganese 1% and 1.5 % solutions.

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Vigor Index (VI)

2000.0 1760.0
1505.7 1449.1 1448.5
1500.0 1363.1 1260.4
Vigor Index

1006.7
1000.0 730.0

500.0

0.0
Zn (1%) Zn (1.5%) Zn (2%) Mn (1%) Mn (1.5%) Mn (2%) Water Untreated
Treatments

Figure3. Effect of priming treatments on vigor index.

Hundred Seedlings Weight (HSW)

7.000
5.728
Hundred Seedling Weight

6.000 4.891
4.760 4.722 4.753
5.000 4.340 4.112
3.833
4.000
3.000
2.000
1.000
0.000
Zn (1%) Zn (1.5%) Zn (2%) Mn (1%) Mn (1.5%) Mn (2%) Water Untreated
Treatments

Figure4. Effect of priming treatments on hundred seedlings weight.

Mean Root Length (RL)

7.033 7.380 7.403 6.967 6.967 7.547
8.000
5.700
Root Length

6.000 4.633
4.000
2.000
0.000
Zn (1%) Zn (1.5%) Zn (2%) Mn (1%) Mn (1.5%) Mn (2%) Water Untreated
Treatments

Figure5. Effect of priming treatments on mean root length.

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Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 5 (22), 2697-2702, 2013

Shoot Length (SL)

20.000
14.400 13.947 14.840
Shoot Length
13.767 13.863 13.313
15.000
10.000 7.767 7.333
5.000
0.000
Zn (1%) Zn (1.5%) Zn (2%) Mn (1%) Mn (1.5%) Mn (2%) Water Untreated
treatments

Figure6. Effect of priming treatments on mean shoot length.

DISCUSSIONS

Seed samples primed with boron solutions (1%, 1.5% and 2%) showed very poor germination. This may be
due to high concentration of boron.Farooq et al. (2012)quoted that concentration of solution isperhaps the most
important factor in case of seed priming with boron. Rehmanet al. (2012) also reported that seed priming with 0.5%
boron solution inhibited germination in rice. Inhibitory action of concentrated boron solution on seed germination
has also been reported in turnip, sunflower, soyabean, sugarbeet, alfalfa, wheat and barley (Shorrocks, 1977).
Carrot seed priming with zinc (1.5%) solution was found to be most beneficial as it significantly improved
emergence percentage, rate of emergence, hundred seedling weight, mean root length, mean shoot length and
vigor index. Babaevaet al. (1999) also reported increased germination and field emergence in Echinacea
purpurea(L.) by priming with 0.05% ZnSO4 solution. Kaya et al.(2007) also reported significantly improved yield and
related traits in common bean after priming with zinc solution.Ajouriet al. (2004) reported improved germination and
seedling development in barley after seed priming with zinc. Increasing zinc solution concentration from 1.5% to
2% significantly decreased emergence percentage, hundred seedling weight and vigor index while mean root
length, mean shoot length and rate of emergence showed no significant change. Harris et al.(2008) also reported
that seed priming with diluted ZnSO4 solution was more effective in chickpea.
Manganese solution has significant positive effect on growth as maximum mean shoot length and mean
root length was observed in case of manganese (1.5%) and (2%) solutions respectively. Khalid and Malik (1982)
also reported increased growth rate in wheat after priming with MnSO 4solution. Seed priming with manganese
solution also improved rate of emergence and hundred seedling weight.Babaevaet al. (1999) also reported
improved stand establishment and increased growth rate after seed priming with manganese solution.

CONCLUSION

Carrot seed priming with micronutrients especially zinc helps in improved germination and healthy seedling
establishment. This could help in getting good yield by improved plant population, healthy seedlings capable of
surviving unfavorable field conditions like weeds and hard soil crust etc. However concentration of priming solution
is a critical factor and needs further investigation and specifications. If micronutrients are not available/costly,
simple seed soaking in water overnight may also significantly improve germination and seedling health.

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