Hormonal and Hydropriming Methods Enhanced the Seedling Growth of Squash

Seed priming is a crucial technique for enhancing the quality of planting materials, which in turn improves overall crop performance. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydropriming and gibberellic acid (GA3) on the seedling growth of squash. Seed priming methods (hydropriming and GA3 at 25 and 50 ppm) were used. Seeds were primed for 4 h, whereas unprimed seeds served as the control. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with four replications under greenhouse conditions (29±4 °C t-mperature and 68±5% relative humidity). The study lasted for 12 days after sowing. Results showed that primed seeds significantly improved the shoot and root systems growth of squash. Priming with GA3 at 25 ppm significantly enhanced plant height, leaf width and length, root length and root count per seedling, and chlorophyll content. Moreover, at this GA3 concentration, the fresh and dry weights of shoots, roots, and seedlings were improved. However, GA₃ at 50 ppm did not further improve leaf or root growth, nor seedling biomass may be due to the inhibitory effect. Therefore, improving the seedling performance of squash can be obtained through seed priming, particularly with GA3 at 25 ppm, due to its better root and shoot systems. Likewise, hydropriming can be used as an alternative priming method if the availability and finances of GA3 are a concern. Keywords: Gibberellic acid, GA3, seed germination, seed priming, seed quality enhancement.