Impact of different seed priming techniques on germination, growth, and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.)

A study was conducted at the Agronomy Department, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200 from February to June 2023, to assess the impact of multiple seed priming strategies on mung bean varieties germination and yield. Three mung bean varieties (BARI Mung-6, BARI Mung-7, and BARI Mung-8) were investigated with five seed priming techniques: control (unprimed), hydropriming, halopriming (2% NaCl), and hormonal priming with gibberellic acid (GA₃) at 100 and 200 ppm. The germination test was performed in a completely randomized design (CRD) with plastic pots, whereas the field evaluation employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Seed priming with GA₃ at 200 ppm significantly improved germination percentage and germination index. GA₃ at 200 ppm increased morphological traits in the field, including plant height, branch number, fresh and dry biomass, and seedling vigor. GA₃ 200 ppm treatment also resulted in the highest yield and related parameters, including pod number plant ^− 1 , pod length, seeds pod ^− 1 , 1000-seeds weight, and overall seed production. Conversely, 2% NaCl priming led to the lowest growth and yield. BARI Mung-7 had the maximum seed yield (565.67 kg ha⁻¹) with GA₃ 200 ppm, while BARI Mung-6 had the lowest yield (33.33 kg ha⁻¹) under 2% NaCl. Thus, BARI Mung-7 primed with GA₃ at 200 ppm for 24 hours is recommended for maximum yield and sustainable mung bean production.