A laboratory experiment was carried out in the laboratories of College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad in 2017. Three factors were studied; Sorghum bicolor L. cultivars (Inqath, Rabeh and Buhoth70), primed and unprimed seed and osmotic potential (0, -5, -9, -13 bar). The aim was to improve germination and seedling growth under water stress. The results showed significant superiority of Buhoth 70 cultivar compared to others, significant superiority of primed seed compared to the unprimed, significant negative impact as long as increasing levels of osmotic potential and significant superiority of interaction treatment (Buhoth70 × primed seed × 0) compared to others in germination ratio, radicle and plumule lengths, dry seedling weight and seedling vigour index. A significant positive correlation found between all these traits. It can conclude that using seed priming technology before planting led to improve performance under drought stress conditions compared to the unprimed under the same level of stress. It can recommend to prim sorghum seeds before planting under drought stress or not. © 2020 Plant Archives. All rights reserved.
