Physiological quality in seeds of the common bean is affected by the period of nutri-priming

ABSTRACT Nutri-priming is a low-cost and highly effective way of supplying seeds with micronutrients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds of the Pérola cultivar of the common bean under nutrient solutions containing molybdenum, cobalt and zinc for different imbibition times. The experiment was carried out in the laboratory and greenhouse of the State University of Goiás UEG - UnU Ipameri, using a completely randomised experimental design, with eight micronutrient treatments (T1. Control; T2. Mo; T3. Zn; T4. Co; T5. Mo + Co; T6. Mo + Zn; T7. Zn + Co; T8. Mo + Co + Zn) and six imbibition times (6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours). The variables under analysis were seed imbibition, germination test, first germination count, accelerated ageing, seedling emergence, emergence speed index, shoot length, root length, total length, fresh weight, dry weight, and shoot and root biomass. The micronutrients afforded an increase in germination in the seed batches under evaluation; on the other hand, imbibition times of greater than four hours reduced the germination capacity of the seeds. It can be concluded that nutri-priming in the common bean is only beneficial for an imbibition time of up to four hours.