Evaluation of seed priming in mung bean ( Vigna radiata ) for yield, nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation under rainfed conditions

A study was carried out for improving yield and biological nitrogen fixation capacity of mung bean through priming techniques. The seeds were invigorated by traditional soaking (hydropriming), osmoconditioning (soaking of seeds in aerated, low-water-potential solutions) with potassium di-hydrogen phosphate (KH 2 PO 4 ), mannitol (C 6 H 14 O 6 ), polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000 ), sodium molybdate dihydrate (Na 2 MoO 4 .2H 2 O) and salicylic acid (C 7 H 6 O 3 ) while untreated seeds were kept as control. The experiment was carried out at two locations under different climatic conditions during the year 2007 to 2008. All the priming treatments significantly improved the dry matter yield (4001 to 5262 kg ha -1 ) and seed yield (713 to 948 kg ha -1 ) compared to the control. The highest biological nitrogen fixation (46.39 kg ha -1 ) was observed in phosphorous primed plants compared to the control. In conclusion, overall, priming of mung bean seed with phosphorous (P at 0.6%) was found very effective for improved germination and vigour of mung bean seeds under field conditions. It is easy and cost effective technology for resource poor farmers of the region. Key words: Rainfed, Vigna radiata, seed priming, BNF and Ndfa.