Priming with moringa leaf extract reduces imbibitional chilling injury in spring maize

This study investigated the potential of moringa leaf extract (MLE) in seed priming for vigour enhancement of spring maize sown at low temperature (12 ± 1°C). The efficacy of MLE priming (3% w/v) was compared with other priming agents: kinetin (0.5% w/v), KCl (2% w/v) and hydropriming, each for 18 hours in hybrid maize cv. Pioneer-6525. Non-primed seeds were used as the control. Priming with MLE was the most effective in improving germination rate and subsequent seedling growth. This increased seedling performance was the result of reduced time to 50% germination (T50) and mean germination time (MGT), and higher final germination percentage (FGP), germination index (GI) and germination energy (GE). Similarly improved seedling growth following seed priming with MLE or kinetin was due to enhanced root and shoot lengths, the ratio of root:shoot length and maximum seedling fresh and dry weights compared with control seeds. Enhanced seedling maize performance by priming with MLE was attributed to improved chlorophyll content, amylase activity and total sugar contents under cool conditions.