Abstract
A 3-year study evaluated the effect of different seed-priming techniques on the performance of two bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, Seher-2006 and Shafaq-2006, planted in rows spaced at 22.5 or 30 cm. Three seed priming techniques—on-farm priming, hydropriming, and osmopriming (using CaCl2)—and an untreated control (dry seeds) were included in the study. Seed priming resulted in earlier and more uniform crop emergence and improved allometric and yield-related traits compared with untreated seeds. Hydropriming and osmopriming significantly improved the allometric traits of Seher-2006 planted at 22.5-cm row spacing and Shafaq-2006 planted at 30-cm row spacing each year. The combination of osmopriming and 30-cm row spacing produced the highest number of productive tillers, number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight across all experimental years. The highest grain yield and harvest index were recorded for osmopriming and 22.5-cm row spacing each year. Shafaq-2006 produced higher biological yield, whereas Seher-2006 produced the higher grain yield and harvest index. Osmoprimed seeds planted at 22.5-cm row spacing recorded the highest economic returns and benefit : cost ratios in both cultivars. In conclusion, planting osmoprimed seeds of wheat in 22.5-cm spaced rows could be effectively used to increase productivity and economic returns.