Boron seed priming improves the seedling emergence, growth, grain yield and grain biofortification of bread wheat

Boron (B) deficiency is quite prevalent in wheat growing regions of Indo-Gangetic Plains. This study, consisted of three experiments, was conducted to evaluate the effect of B seed priming on the productivity and grain biofortification of bread wheat. In first experiment, wheat seeds were primed with 1, 0.5, 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01 M B solutions of boric acid (H₃BO₃) and borax (Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂O) while dry seeds and hydropriming were taken as control. Seed priming with 0.05 M B and 0.01 M B were better than other treatments of both B sources in improving germination and early seedling growth. In second experiment, wheat seeds primed with 0.01 and 0.05 M B solutions of both sources of B were sown in sand filled small pots. Seed priming with 0.01 M B solution of borax was better than other treatments in improving the germination and seedling growth. In third experiment, wheat seeds primed with 0.01 and 0.05 M B solution of borax only were sown. Seed priming with 0.01 M B solution increased the grain yield by 64% over control; however, increase in grain B contents was 27%. In conclusion, wheat seeds may be primed with 0.01 M B using borax to improve the grain yield and grain B contents in wheat.