Seed priming effect of (-)-epi-GR24 strigolactone for improvement of plant growth and soil health in Vigna mungo (urd bean)

Strigolactones (SLs) are crucial phytohormones that regulate plant architecture and facilitate beneficial interactions in the rhizosphere of plants. This study examined the efficacy of (-)-epi-GR24, a synthetic strigolactone analog, in enhancing the growth and soil health parameters of Vigna mungo (urd bean) plants. Using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four replications, seeds were treated with varying concentrations of SL (-)-epi-GR24:0 (control), 1, 5, 10, and 20 µM. Preliminary results indicated that seed priming with (-)-epi-GR24 significantly modulated seedling emergence and vegetative vigor. Data collected from the experimental plots demonstrated that the optimized concentrations of the analog promoted superior root and shoot development compared with the control. The observed growth enhancement was accompanied by changes in root development, rhizosphere microbial population and soil nutrient availability. However, the underlying physiological and molecular mechanism require further investigation. By improving plant performance and soil-plant-microbe dynamics, the application of 5–10 µM (-)-epi-GR24 at specific dosages presents a sustainable strategy for boosting V. mungo . This study contributes to the development of hormone-based agricultural interventions aimed at achieving food security through enhanced crop resilience and improved soil health.