Effect of seed coating on germination and seedling growth characteristics of various crops under different environmental storage conditions

Effect of Extra Seed Power as a seed coating on germination and seedling growth of Corn, Sorghum, Millet, Faba bean, Mung bean, Lupine, Lentil, Egyptian clover, Cowpea, Cyamposis, Flax, Sugar beet, Zucchini and Rocket seeds were studied. Vigor of treated seedlings were studied in four replications in both laboratory and greenhouse experiments in two seasons (2021-2022 and 2022-2023). These experiments evaluated effect of ESP-treated seeds for enhancement of the germination, seedling growth and vigor after long and/or poor storage. Seed germination (%), germination rate, mean germination time (day), germination speed index (SGI), seedling shoot length (cm), seedling root length (cm), seedling length (cm), seedling fresh weight (g), seedling dry weights, (g) seedling vigor 1 (SVI) and seedling vigor 2 (SVII) were studied. Data showed that germination characteristics improved with ESP treatment compared with un-treated seeds (control) for all crops under investigation. ESP treatment gave higher values for germination percentage, germination rate and germination speed index traits (SGI), and gave positive effect with mean germination time (day) trait, which has highly significant values by ESP treatment. Seedling shoot length (cm), seedling shoot length (cm) and seedling length (cm) increase significant in all crops by using ESP treatment. There was high variation between control and ESP treatment for seedling fresh weight (g) and seedling dry weight (g). This suggests that using Extra seed power as new seed treatment, it was a suitable treatment for different seeds species and the best; and can improve germination percentage and seedling growth through increasing seed viability and seedling vigor.