Seed biopriming with soil microorganisms antagonize allelopathic effect of weeds residues on pearl millet germination

This study aims to evaluate the impact of seed primimg with soil microorganism on the germination and metabolism of pearl millet seeds when exposed to the allelopathic effects of some specific weed extracts.

Pearl millet seeds were categorized into five distinct groups. Four of these groups were subjected to priming with different soil microorganisms: Bacillus velezensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia marcescens, and Trichoderma viride. The remaining, fifth group underwent hydropriming. Subsequently, these groups were subjected to germination in the presence of weed extracts, a process that extended over five days. Following germination, various factors were assessed, including germination percentage, radicle and plumule length, and seed vigor. Furthermore, the study encompassed the analysis of biochemical parameters such carbohydrate and phytate hydrolysis, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activity, and secondary metabolite.

The findings of the study revealed that biopriming of pearl millet seeds with soil microorganisms led to a significant enhancement in germination, even when exposed to different weed extract treatments. This improvement was chiefly manifested through heightened levels of antioxidant enzymes, which mitigate the oxidative stress induced by the weed treatments. Moreover, the biopriming process improved the hydrolysis in germinated seeds, resulting in energy savings and a reduction in carbon utilization for secondary metabolism through the shikimic acid pathway and the phenylpropanol pathway. This facilitated the production of defense molecules like phenols and flavonoids.

Seed priming with soil microorganism ultimately bolsters the seeds’ tolerance against allelochemicals originating from weed residue treatments.