This study evaluated how seed priming influences germination and seedling development of stored sorghum seeds using a randomised block design with two factors including storage duration (0, 1, 2 years) and priming treatment (control, GA3 50 ppm, moringa leaf extract 5%, KNO3 1.5%, and PEG 10 ppm). Germination traits, including growth rate, dry mass of normal seedlings, maximum growth potential, and vigor index, were analyzed by ANOVA, and mean separation was performed using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (α = 0.05). Results showed a significant interaction between storage time and priming method for germination, growth rate, and dry weight of normal seedlings, with seeds stored for 0 years exhibiting maximum growth potential and vigor index. Priming with KNO3 enhanced maximum growth potential, while moringa leaf extract improved seedling vigor index. Priming with moringa leaf extract consistently produced the highest growth speed index across all storage periods, suggesting its potential as a viable seed enhancement technology for aged seed lots. However, seeds stored for zero and two years exhibited statistically similar maximum growth potential, indicating that Kawali sorghum seeds lack dormancy periods and possess inherent storability characteristics suitable for medium-term storage. Hence, moringa leaf extract presents a promising organic alternative to synthetic plant growth regulators for enhancing seed performance, and it offers potential applications in sustainable seed technology and pre-sowing seed treatments for stored grain legumes.
Widiastuti et al. (Sun,) studied this question.