Effect of Chitosan Seed Priming on Phenological and Vegetative Growth Traits of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Varieties under Field Conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54174/w425rz05Keywords:
Chitosan, Sorghum, Seed PrimingAbstract
Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted at the Research Station, Department of Field Crops, College of Agriculture, University of Diyala, during the 2025 autumn season to evaluate the effect of chitosan seed soaking on vegetative growth and phenological traits of seven sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) varieties. The experiment included two factors: chitosan concentrations (0 and 200 mg L⁻¹) and seven varieties, arranged in a factorial experiment using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were analyzed using SAS software, and treatment means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test.
Results showed that chitosan significantly improved both vegetative and phenological traits compared to the control. Seed soaking reduced the number of days from planting to 50% flowering and from flowering to physiological maturity by 3.7% and 6.05%, respectively. It also increased plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area by 10–20%, 8–15%, and 12–25%, respectively. Significant differences were observed among varieties. The Lilo variety recorded the lowest days to flowering (68.77 days) and maturity (30.61 days), while Giza and Lilo produced the highest plant height and leaf number. Significant interaction effects indicated variable varietal responses to chitosan. These findings confirm the effectiveness of chitosan as a seed priming agent to enhance sorghum growth under field conditions.
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