Germination and Seedling Vigor of Different Soybean (Glycine max) Varieties Subjected to Various Seed Priming Agents

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an economically important legume valued for its high protein and oil content. However, poor seed germination and weak seedling establishment remain major constraints to achieving optimum crop productivity. This study evaluated the effects of different seed priming agents on the germination and early seedling growth of three soybean varieties using a factorial experiment arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The priming treatments consisted of moringa leaf extract (MLE), neem leaf extract (NLE), garlic extract, hydropriming, hormopriming, and an untreated control. Germination percentage, shoot length, root length, seedling length, and seedling vigor index were evaluated. Results revealed that both soybean variety and seed priming treatment significantly affected all measured parameters. Among the varieties, Manchuria consistently exhibited the highest germination percentage and seedling vigor. Among the priming treatments, moringa leaf extract produced the best overall performance, followed closely by neem leaf extract, while untreated seeds consistently recorded the lowest values. The enhanced performance of MLE and NLE was reflected in higher germination percentage, longer shoot and root lengths, greater seedling length, and improved seedling vigor index. The findings demonstrate that botanical seed priming, particularly with moringa and neem leaf extracts, is an effective and environmentally friendly approach for improving soybean seed germination and early seedling establishment. These natural priming agents have the potential to enhance seed quality and support sustainable soybean production.

priming agents, germination, vigor index, soybean

1. Farooq, M., Usman, M., Nadeem, F., Rehman, H., Wahid, A., Basra, S. M. A., & Siddique, K. H. M. (2019). Seed priming in field crops: Potential benefits, adoption and challenges. Crop and Pasture Science, 70(9), 731–771. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP18604 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Gohari, G., Spanos, A., Ioannou, A., Panahirad, S., Kolbert, Z., & Fotopoulos, V. (2026). Seed priming approaches for climate-resilient agriculture. Journal of Experimental Botany, 77(7), 2013–2026. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/eraf440 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Gopalakrishnan, L., Doriya, K., & Kumar, D. S. (2016). Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application. Food Science and Human Wellness, 5(2), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2016.04.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Hasanuzzaman, M., Bhuyan, M. H. M. B., Zulfiqar, F., Raza, A., Mohsin, S. M., Mahmud, J. A., Fujita, M., & Fotopoulos, V. (2020). Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense in plants under abiotic stress: Revisiting the crucial role of a universal defense regulator. Antioxidants, 9(8), 681. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9080681 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Khan, S., Basit, A., Hafeez, M. B., Irshad, S., Bashir, S., Bashir, S., Maqbool, M. M., & Khan, N. (2021). Moringa leaf extract improves growth, physiological attributes, yield, and grain quality of rice under drought stress. PLoS ONE, 16(7), e0254452. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254452 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Khan, S., Basra, S. M. A., Nawaz, M., Rehman, H., & Ejaz, S. (2020). Combined application of moringa leaf extract and growth-promoting substances improves wheat productivity under varying growth conditions. South African Journal of Botany, 129, 74–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2019.01.007 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Leone, A., Spada, A., Battezzati, A., Schiraldi, A., Aristil, J., & Bertoli, S. (2015). Cultivation, genetic, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Moringa oleifera leaves: An overview. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(6), 12791–12835. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms160612791 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. MacDonald, M. T., & Mohan, V. R. (2025). Chemical seed priming: Molecules and mechanisms for enhancing plant germination, growth, and stress tolerance. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 47(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47030177 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Ntshalintshali, S., Sibiya, S. G. P., Mabuza, N., Nkomo, M., & Buthelezi, L. G. (2025). Seed priming in legume crops: Mechanisms, applications and future directions for enhanced germination, growth and abiotic stress tolerance in sustainable agriculture: A review. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 211(5), e70115. https://doi.org/10.1111/jac.70115 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Paparella, S., Araújo, S. S., Rossi, G., Wijayasinghe, M., Carbonera, D., & Balestrazzi, A. (2015). Seed priming: State of the art and new perspectives. Plant Cell Reports, 34(8), 1281–1293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-015-1784-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Sabitha, N., & Naidu, N. V. (2026). Progress of research on seed priming in major field crops. Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations, 7, 1–45. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v7/6820 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Yaseen, A., & Hájos, M. T. (2020). Effect of Moringa leaf extract and set size on the bulb weight, diameter and yield of onions (Allium cepa L.). Acta Agraria Debreceniensis, 2, 127–131. https://doi.org/10.34101/actaagrar/2/4105 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study