Improving the yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata) in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan using on-farm seed priming

摘要: SUMMARY The effect of ‘on-farm’ seed priming – soaking seeds in water before surface-drying and sowing them was tested for mungbean (Vigna radiata) 15 irrigated on-station trials four sets rainfed, pairedplot, farmer-participatory over contrasting years from 1999 to 2002 the North West Frontier Province Pakistan. optimum time found be between six eight hours; hours used all trials. Of 19 trials, significantly better than non-priming 14 with a mean yield increase 56 %. In remaining five there no difference treatments but case worse not priming. subset 11 which management considered optimal, declined linear fashion as date delayed. rate decline about 30 kg ha−1 d−1 after 1st June similar both non-primed primed crops, although latter higher base. Farmers’ yields were proportional rainfall grain due 39 Benefits result combination faster germination emergence more vigorous growth development, leading crop stands bigger, productive plants. It concluded that is low-cost, low-risk technology has potential raise substantially thus making it attractive farmers.