Moringa Bio-Priming with Zn Spray Improved Nutrients Rich Biofortified Chickpea Grains and Drought Tolerance at Reproductive Stages under Arid Environment

Moringa Bio-Priming with Zn Spray Improved Nutrients Rich Biofortified Chickpea Grains and Drought Tolerance at Reproductive Stages under Arid Environment | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Moringa Bio-Priming with Zn Spray Improved Nutrients Rich Biofortified Chickpea Grains and Drought Tolerance at Reproductive Stages under Arid Environment Hamid Nawaz, Malik Muhammad Yousaf, Nazim Hussain, Muhammad Zahid Ihsan, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5058772/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract A restricted food supply with limited alternatives often leads to essential nutrient deficiency in masses of Africa and Asia. This issue is exceedingly prevalent in pregnant women and infants due to low dietary Zn intake in daily meals. The Zn absorbance in pulses grain may be enhanced through bio-priming with moringa leaf extract (MLE 30 ) under water deficit conditions. To investigate the performance of bio-stimulants with foliar spray of synthetic nutrients, a field trial was carried out at Arid Zone Research Institute, Bahawalpur, Pakistan for two consecutive years (2021–2022, 2022–2023). An approximate decrease of 55–64% in chickpea grain yield was noticed under terminal drought stress applied at pod formation as compared to control however; the application of biopriming with Zn spray mitigated the negative effects on grain yield (only 13% decrease in grain yield). This improvement was supported by the significant increase in dry shoot weight (55%) and root weight (51%), no of nodules per plant (20%), no of grains per plant (15%), harvest index (225%) for the first year, plant height (26%) and no of pods per plant (45%), for the second year. Similarly, the overproduction of antioxidants especially catalase (98%), ascorbic peroxidase (87%), and total phenolic content (104%) under bio-primed with Zn spray treatment helped the plants to withstand the negative effects of terminal drought stress. The mineral contents (Zn, Fe & K) were decreased under terminal drought stress nonetheless; the biopriming with Zn spray prominently improved its bioavailability for obtaining the nutrient-rich biofortified grains production. The economic analysis reported a significantly higher benefit-cost ratio (2.74) for bio-primed with Zn spray treatments as compared to hydro-primed treatments under both terminal drought stress and normal water irrigation conditions. The application of moringa extract as a low-cost and effective biopriming agent along with the addition of Zn spray is recommended for the profitable cultivation of chickpea crops under terminal drought stress, which limits its cultivation and productivity, especially in rain-fed arid areas of world. Chickpea anti-oxidants biopriming biofortified grains BCR MLE30 rain-fed Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Introduction Micro-malnutrition also called “hidden hunger” becomes a severely drastic threat worldwide and arises during food consumption a deficiency of mineral micronutrients for processing the physiological functions of normal human health (Krebs et al. 2014 ). Zinc-Zn, Iron-Fe, Magnesium-Mg, and Potassium-K are the most essential micronutrient intake for humans, and their malnutrition resulted in stunted public growth systems worldwide (Bhatt et al. 2020 ). According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2019, Zn daily requirement ranges from 8.5–11 mg for adult men and 11.5–13.5 mg for women and its deficiency becomes lethal, especially in underdeveloped countries including Pakistan (Khan et al. 2018 ). Zn plays an important role in numerous metabolic activities including proteins, carbohydrates, enzyme synthesis as well as catalysts and part of receptors during the activities of the human neurological development phase (Gupta et al. 2020 ). Chickpeas are a healthy vegetable and one of the most important foods for humans and animals in South Asia (Pal et al. 2019 ). Its consumption not only adds flavor and texture to grain products but also upgrades the nutrients to the staple food to ensure a balanced diet suitable for all foods (Sinha et al. 2019 ). Observations illustrated that the chickpea crop behaves susceptible under imposed Zn deficiency conditions and its growth is affected in cholistan arid agricultural region of country (Pathak et al. 2012 ). Rehman et al. ( 2020 ) illustrated the findings of research that water stress disrupted the interruption between crop-soil-water relationships in terms of absorption and transpiration rates respectively. The combination of Zn malnutrition and terminal water stress drastically affected crop productivity due to improper functioning of morphological, anti-oxidants, and nutrient attributes towards maturation, and faced 50–60% grain yield loss (Wang et al. 2017 ). The exogenous application of Zn boosted the nutrient’s uptake, enzymatic, and non-enzymatic activities, and nodulation during the nitrogen fixation process and obtained the optimum grain production (Gunes et al. 2006 ). Biofortification refers to the improvement of the quantity and quality of grain nutritional profile by using various generic or agronomic approaches during the crop growth period (Teklu et al. 2023 ). Agronomic biofortification is one of the best sustainable techniques via seed priming, seed coating, soil fertigation, and foliar spray for inducing the nutrients in the crops (Mao et al. 2014 ). The synergistic application of organic seed priming called bio-priming with foliar spray of synthetic Zn, Mg, and K stimulants may have the potential to achieve dual goals of enhancing the grain’s bioavailability and net economic return in terms of saving millions of US dollars by reducing the threat of food security and risk of Zn malnutrition (Xue et al. 2023 ). Moringa is widely known as the "Miracle Plant" due to its dual feature to trigger the absorption of nutrients and ameliorate tolerance by upgrading the crop's anti-oxidant defense system during terminal water stress (Nawaz et al. 2024 ). Moringa oleifera extract (MLE30) is a recently emerging organic bio-stimulant having a rich source of zeatin, amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, micro and macronutrients; it can be used as a seed priming agent called “Moringa Biopriming” (Yasmeen et al. 2013 ). The applied treatment of moringa bio-priming motivated the crop performance by achieving uniform germination, growth, yield, biochemical analysis, uptake of nutrients, etc. under the applied unfavorable water stress conditions (Farooq et al. 2009 ). Keeping in the author’s best knowledge, there is a dire need to investigate chickpea productivity by using the synergistic approach of bio-priming treatment with Zn foliar spray under terminal water stress. Materials and Methods Synthesis of moringa leaf extract (MLE 30 ) Fresh branches of healthy moringa trees having fleshy green mature leaves early at 11:00 am at the Moringa Garden, in the Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. All the leaves were collected, washed, and stored in the laboratory chiller freezer for 72 hours at the temperature – 80°C after washing with distilled water. The chilled leaves were crushed and pressed through a manually made extractor machine to get moringa extract. The collected extract was separately centrifuged by applying the standard resolution at 8000 rpm for 15 minutes. The purified extract was diluted 30 times at a ratio of 1:30 (moringa extract: distilled water) (Yasmeen et al. 2013 ). Project site, weather, and soil data The project study was evaluated at the Agronomic Experimental Research Area, Arid Zone Research Institute-AZRI Bahawalpur (30.01 °N, 71.98 °E) Southern Punjab, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council-PARC Islamabad, Pakistan during the winter season of chickpea of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023. Meteorological data was observed at the Weather Station, in the Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies-CIDS, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur-IUB, Pakistan presented in the graphical format having mean values of maximum, minimum, humidity, and rainfall during both years of phenological growth stages of chickpea (Fig. 1 ). For soil analysis, three different locations were selected for soil sampling at the experimental field trials, and collected the soil samples via stainless-steel spade for determining the soil properties at the Soil Fertility Laboratory, in the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University of Multan, Pakistan. All the standard procedures were applied to measure the soil physico-chemical properties of the collected experimental soil samples (Nawaz et al. 2016 ). Experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture related to “Lyallpur” soil series having soil properties as sand (42.01%), silt (59.92%), clay (33.88%), organic matter (0.78%), saturation (35.87%), nitrogen (0.04–0.11%), phosphorus (1.78 mg kg − 1 ), potassium (5.76 mg kg − 1 ), zinc (0.36–0.42 mg kg − 1 ), EC (0.68 dS m − 1 ), and pH (8.14) during the both years (2021–2022 and 2022–2023) of trials. Experimental design, and layout The experiments consisted of the following factors and treatments i.e., bio-fortification factor; hydro-priming, bio-priming, foliar spray; control (water), ZnSO 4 .7H 2 O (0.3%) (Ullah et al. 2020 ), KCl (200 ppm) (Cakmak 2005 ), MgCl 2 (50 ppm) (Cakmak 2013 ) and terminal water stress; terminal water stress at Flowering, terminal water stress at Pod formation, normal water irrigation. The chickpea “Bhakhar-2011” was used as a test species. Biofortification via seed priming was carried out by mixing the seeds with MLE 30 solution at the ratio 1:30 (MLE 30 : water) under an aerated environment through an electric aquarium vacuum pump for 8 hours. Biofortification via foliar spray was carried out at critical growth stages of flowering and pod formation in the chickpea crop. A digital tensiometer was used to maintain the field capacity after applied irrigations for terminal water stress. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with three factorial arrangements and replicated thrice during both years I & II of the trials. Crop husbandry The seedbed was prepared by irrigating 3 inches in the experimental area. Tractor-mounted cultivator was used to cultivate the field twice followed by planking after achieving the soil workable field capacity during the chickpea winter season 2021–2022 and 2022–2023. The treated seeds of Bhakhar-2011 were sown via hand-made drill as per the recommended seed rate of 60 kg ha − 1 . Seeds were planted uniformly according to the recommended depth (3–5 cm) by making 25 cm R–R distance and 10 cm P–P during the second fortnight of October. Seedling thinning was performed by keeping the plant density at one plant–hill 15 days after emergence. The required fertilizers of Urea (20 Kg N ha − 1 ) and Di-ammonium phosphate (22 Kg P ha − 1 ) were applied during the soil seedbed preparation. All agronomic control measures were taken during the experimental trials of chickpea growth. Experimental trials were harvested in the April first fortnight during 2021–2022 and 2022–2023. Observations Anti-oxidant biochemical analysis Each experimental treatment unit was selected for collecting the healthy plant leaves in the morning at time of temperature 22 ± 5°C at 11:00 am after 10 days of last irrigation. The leaves samples were tagged and stored in the polythene bags in the laboratory chiller at – 80°C for biochemical analysis. The standard protocols were followed for observing the anti-oxidant contents. For total soluble proteins (TSP), the sample leaves (0.5 g) were ground in the pestle mortar by adding prepared buffer extract 1 mL (pH 7.3). The pH of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was maintained at 7.2 by gradually adding 10 mM Na 2 HPO 4 + 2 mM KH 2 PO 4 + 2.7 mM KCl + 1.37 mM NaCl up to 1 L. HCl. A protease inhibitor (1 µM) was mixed in a buffer solution before the extraction of proteins followed by the procedure to run the sample material in a centrifuged machine for three minutes at the resolution of 15,000 × g and then the supernatant material was separated into the Eppendorf test tube. The graphical standard curve was carried out at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 µg mL − 1 in the Excel sheet from bovine serum albumin (BSA) after addition to 400 µL Dye stock and deionized distilled water. The samples were carefully mixed with a vortex mixer and incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. TSP values were observed after adjusting the 595 nm absorbance in the nano-spectrophotometer (Bradford 1976 ). The values of peroxidase-POD and catalase-CAT were determined by synthesizing the reactive mixture with 400 µL guaiacol (20 mM) followed by the addition of 500 µL H2O2 (40 mM), 2 mL phosphate (50 mM) in 100 µL sample. The absorbance was adjusted to 470 nm for measuring POD contents within 15 s up to 5 minutes. For CAT values; absorbance was adjusted at 240 nm within 25 s for 5 minutes after the decomposition of reactive mixture with H 2 O 2 (Chance and Maehly 1954 ). In the case of Superoxide dismutase (SOD); a reactive mixture of 50 µL samples was prepared by mixing 1 mL nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) (50 µM), 500 µL methionine (13 mM), 1mL riboflavin (1.3 µM), 950 µL (50 mM) phosphate buffer and 500 µL EDTA (75mM). Afterward, prepared samples were placed in the dark section of the laboratory, where the 30 W fluorescent light was switched on for 5 minutes. SOD values were noted at the absorbance of 560 nm during the visibility of blue formazane after NBT photo reduction (Giannopolitis and Reis 1997 ). For ascorbic acid-AsA, the sample (200 µL) was prepared by adding 1.4 mL PBS followed by incubating at laboratory temperature (25 ± 5°C) for 90 seconds. Meanwhile, various reagents including 0.4 mL trichloroacetic acid (10%), 44% phosphoric acid (0.4 mL), 0.2 mL 2, 2-biphenyl, and 0.2 mL FeCl 3 (3%) as per protocol were added, mixed, and incubated for 1 hour at 35°C in the laboratory incubator. AsA values were determined by adjusting the absorbance at 525 nm (Ainsworth and Gillespie 2007 ). For total phenolic contents, gallic acid was accustomed to a standard stock solution. The tagged samples were homogenized, and filtered by using the acetone-80% via extraction up to 10 mL. the required sample (20 µL) was mixed with 1.58 mL deionized (DI) water followed by 100 µL Folin Ciocalteu reagents within 25 s up to 9 minutes. Then, the reactive mixture was kept in the incubator at 40°C for 30 minutes in the laboratory after mixing 300 µL sodium carbonate and the TPC values at 760 nm absorbance (Waterhouse 2001 ). Nutrient’s analysis Various steps were practiced for the analysis of plant nutrients by following the standard protocols in the laboratory environment. For this, treated seeds were crushed into powder and 0.5 g of dried seed ground material was added to the digestion tube followed by the mixing of 5 mL of concentrated H 2 SO 4 . The tested tubes were kept in the laboratory incubator at temperature (25 ± 5°C). All the tubes were adjusted in the digestion heat chamber and poured down 0.5 mL of H 2 O 2 (35%) alongside the digestion tubes by heating for 30 minutes at a temperature of 35°C until the production of fumes. The tubes were gently removed from the chamber and left for the cooling process. In the continuation of the digestion process, 0.5 mL H 2 O 2 was added gradually under the digestion chamber repeatedly until the material cooled and was transparent in the volumetric flask at 50 mL. A flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (model AA-7000, SHIMADZU) was used after the filtration process to measure the Zn, Mg, and Fe contents and for K contents determined through a flame photometer (Jenway PFP-7, UK) (Kopittke et al. 2019 ). Economic analysis The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was calculated after the applied treatments of biofortification seed priming, and foliar spray treatments under various terminal water stress in chickpeas. Total expenditures for chickpea production consisted of experimental field rent, charges for seedbed preparation, applied seed & fertilizers rates, sowing & irrigation charges, charges required for all protection measures, and trial harvesting charges. The current market rate of chickpea grains and straw for calculating the gross income. Net income was calculated by subtracting the gross income from total expenditures followed by dividing the gross income into total expenditures for the benefit-cost ratio (Nawaz et al. 2021 ). Biplot principal component analysis (PCA) and heatmap analysis Biplot and heatmap analysis were performed in the observed attributes after the application of biofortification seed priming, and foliar spray treatments under various terminal water stress in chickpeas. This method demonstrated the division of correlation coefficient among direct or indirect impacts by substituting average means during both years of trials for random variables on the consequential variables (Dewey and Lu 1959 ). Agronomic analysis All the agronomic parameters were observed including chickpea plant morphological growth (shoot length, fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, root length, fresh root weight, dry root weight), development (plant height, no. of primary branches, no. of secondary branches, no of pods plant − 1 . no. of nodules plant − 1 , no. of grains plant − 1 ) and yield related components (100-grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index) during both years of trials by following the standard protocols. Statistics analysis Data was analyzed by using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique (Steel et al. 1997 ). Statistix v8.1 software was used for the least significant difference (LSD) test for comparing the applied treatment means @ 5% probability level. The tables and graphs were drawn via updated MS Office 2019. Results Morphological growth attributes A significant interactive effect of applied exogenous treatments seed priming, and foliar spray under terminal water stress on the chickpea morphological growth attributes during both years of experiments (Table 2 ). Observations demonstrated that bio-priming with Zn spray treatments noted with maximum shoot length, fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, root length, fresh root weight, and dry root weight of chickpea under normal water irrigations as well as terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation as compared to hydro-priming during 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 years of project studies (Table 2 ). Data revealed that the increasing trend in the observed morphological growth parameters was noted during the second year as compared to the first year (Table 2 ). Data showed that the lowest values in the morphological growth parameters were observed in the applied foliar spray of K, Mg, and control (water) with hydro-priming treatment under terminal water stress at pod formation during the years-I & II (Table 2 ). Year interaction was observed as non-significant in the observed values of root length, and fresh root weight shown in Table 2 . Similarly, the year interaction was observed positively significant in the attributes of shoot length, fresh shot weight, dry shoot weight, and dry root weight (Table 2 ). The observed growth attributes were observed higher under the induced normal water irrigation as compared to terminal water stress applied at flowering followed by pod formation during both years 2021–2022, and 2022–2023 of the project study (Table 2 ). Table 1 Soil characteristics of experimental field research area during 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 Soil properties Values Observations Units 2021–2022 2022–2023 EC (dS m − 1 ) 1.91 ± 0.05 1.92 ± 0.07 pH - 8.12 ± 0.36 8.13 ± 0.20 Organic matter (%) 0.49 ± 0.41 0.50 ± 0.52 Available N (%) 0.062 ± 0.45 0.063 ± 0.62 Available P (mg kg − 1 ) 4.63 ± 0.21 4.64 ± 0.22 Extractable K (mg kg − 1 ) 78.03 ± 0.20 78.06 ± 0.25 Soil Zn (mg kg − 1 ) 0.40–0.41 0.41–0.32 Saturation percentage (%) 38 ± 0.82 39 ± 0.71 Water-holding capacity (Inches ft − 1 ) 1.32 ± 0.12 1.35 ± 0.05 Textural class Sandy loam Sandy loam Table 2 Effect of exogenous application of bio-stimulant on the morphological growth attributes of chickpea crop under terminal water stress Year-I (2021–2022) Year-II (2022–2023) Foliar spray Terminal water stress Seed priming Control ZnSO 4 (0.3%) KCl (200 ppm) MgCl 2 (50 ppm) Control ZnSO 4 (0.3%) KCl (200 ppm) MgCl 2 (50 ppm) Shoot length (cm) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 41.80ef ± 0.41 48.84bc ± 0.45 43.16d.f ± 0.31 45.80cd ± 0.54 42.29fg ± 0.40 50.19b ± 0.45 44.01e.g ± 0.33 46.42c.e ± 0.55 Biopriming 42.47d.f ± 0.91 57.51a ± 0.42 42.51d.f ± 0.47 45.81cd ± 0.95 42.97fg ± 0.91 58.78a ± 0.26 45.04ef ± 0.54 45.26d.f ± 0.59 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 31.36hi ± 0.69 47.54bc ± 0.62 42.47d.f ± 0.27 40.45fg ± 0.13 31.87m ± 0.68 48.97bc ± 0.54 43.29e.g ± 0.28 40.93gh ± 0.13 Biopriming 37.48g ± 0.46 49.52b ± 0.17 41.48f ± 0.82 45.47c.e ± 1.34 36.32i.k ± 0.38 51.06b ± 0.16 42.32fg ± 0.82 48.33b.d ± 0.57 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 30.21hi ± 0.06 37.00g ± 0.65 31.85hi ± 0.20 32.93h ± 0.83 30.69m ± 0.06 38.64hi ± 0.65 32.65lm ± 0.22 33.52k.m ± 0.83 Biopriming 31.84hi ± 0.34 40.54fg ± 0.27 28.24i ± 0.27 37.58g ± 0.99 32.34lm ± 0.34 42.23fg ± 0.23 35.39j.l ± 0.75 38.06h.j ± 0.97 40.58B 41.73A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 3.6891, Year-II ± 3.2376, Interaction ± 0.6916 Fresh shoot weight (g) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 29.58e ± 0.26 39.78b ± 0.05 33.14d ± 0.53 29.26e ± 0.42 24.80k ± 0.45 37.60bc ± 0.42 36.23b.f ± 0.26 37.93b ± 0.40 Biopriming 26.05fg ± 0.24 43.44a ± 0.32 32.81d ± 0.26 35.33c ± 0.23 37.96b ± 0.59 44.76a ± 0.87 35.20b.g ± 0.75 37.56bc ± 0.60 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 21.78ij ± 0.12 35.78c ± 0.54 23.51h ± 0.56 26.76fg ± 0.20 33.10d.i ± 0.30 33.13d.i ± 0.27 32.46f.i ± 0.43 29.76ij ± 1.34 Biopriming 27.04f ± 0.19 39.66b ± 0.30 39.17b ± 0.24 25.34g ± 0.28 36.70b.e ± 0.33 37.30b.d ± 0.72 33.46c.i ± 0.15 33.03e.i ± 0.26 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 22.50hi ± 0.27 29.91e ± 0.36 17.44k ± 0.26 25.70fg ± 0.33 25.26k ± 0.99 33.33d.i ± 0.26 30.66h.j ± 1.96 26.56jk ± 0.55 Biopriming 23.68h ± 0.19 32.02d ± 0.24 20.84j ± 0.16 23.06hi ± 0.19 26.93jk ± 0.67 34.63b.h ± 0.94 31.53g.i ± 0.27 31.63g.i ± 0.74 29.32B 33.40A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 1.5855, Year-II ± 4.2022, Year Interaction ± 0.6348 Dry shoot weight (g) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 12.91f.h ± 0.73 19.55b ± 0.39 14.68d.f ± 0.71 14.66d.f ± 0.16 17.62de ± 0.12 19.94bc ± 0.52 17.81c.e ± 0.10 15.17f.h ± 0.30 Biopriming 17.51b.d ± 0.43 24.61a ± 0.43 18.85bc ± 0.27 12.71f.h ± 0.67 18.80cd ± 0.18 24.64a ± 0.47 21.73b ± 0.34 11.32j ± 0.21 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 14.28ef ± 0.18 16.61b.e ± 0.90 13.95e.g ± 0.24 14.87d.f ± 0.66 15.09f.i ± 0.18 15.81e.h ± 0.60 14.74f.i ± 0.60 14.24g.i ± 0.43 Biopriming 12.88f.h ± 0.26 16.35c.e ± 0.70 18.28bc ± 0.54 12.95f.h ± 0.56 14.24g.i ± 0.13 16.64d.f ± 0.21 14.54f.i ± 0.37 15.61e.h ± 0.55 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 8.55i.k ± 0.61 10.51h.j ± 0.21 8.58i.k ± 0.04 10.07h.j ± 0.46 12.87ij ± 0.12 15.68e.h ± 0.64 13.95hi ± 0.24 14.21g.i ± 0.28 Biopriming 6.98k ± 0.42 16.31c.e ± 0.42 11.15g.i ± 0.29 8.11jk ± 0.13 13.58hi ± 0.30 16.23e.g ± 0.67 13.78hi ± 0.45 14.24g.i ± 0.18 14.00B 15.94A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 2.9928, Year-II ± 2.2465, Year Interaction ± 0.5347 Root length (cm) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 11.01gh ± 0.26 12.65d.h ± 0.09 11.98e.h ± 0.26 12.58d.h ± 0.39 12.04ef ± 0.17 16.10b.e ± 0.41 15.27b.f ± 0.35 13.58c.f ± 0.21 Biopriming 11.56f.h ± 0.18 25.01a ± 0.85 16.31cd ± 0.85 20.25b ± 0.19 18.37b ± 0.89 25.90a ± 0.52 16.37b.d ± 0.44 17.37bc ± 0.77 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 10.68h ± 0.40 16.69bc ± 0.17 12.81d.h ± 0.79 12.45d.h ± 0.21 11.67f ± 0.74 14.17c.f ± 0.90 13.40c.f ± 0.32 12.80d.f ± 0.57 Biopriming 11.71f.h ± 0.30 15.08c.f ± 0.53 13.08c.h ± 0.06 13.85c.h ± 0.31 12.12ef ± 0.43 17.24bc ± 0.83 14.70b.f ± 0.93 14.16c.f ± 0.67 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 10.95gh ± 0.27 15.61c.e ± 0.83 14.61c.g ± 0.75 14.58c.g ± 0.04 12.00f ± 0.43 12.50d.f ± 0.70 11.74f ± 0.56 12.04ef ± 0.17 Biopriming 11.95e.h ± 0.42 15.81c.e ± 0.93 12.25e.h ± 0.14 14.31c.h ± 0.62 12.50d.f ± 0.86 14.80b.f ± 0.97 14.17c.f ± 0.98 13.47c.f ± 0.86 14.07 14.52 LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 3.8749, Year-II ± 4.0926, Year Interaction ± Non-significant Fresh root weight (g) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 2.26d.g ± 0.04 2.80b.e ± 0.14 2.60b.e ± 0.16 2.53b.f ± 0.14 2.38d.j ± 0.07 2.78b.e ± 0.02 2.32d.k ± 0.01 2.57c.h ± 0.07 Biopriming 3.24b ± 0.03 4.03a ± 0.15 3.08bc ± 0.03 2.63b.e ± 0.11 3.13bc ± 0.01 4.15a ± 0.02 3.32b ± 0.05 2.71c.f ± 0.02 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 1.65gh ± 0.01 2.01e.h ± 0.15 1.45h ± 0.17 1.75f.h ± 0.02 2.09g.k ± 0.01 2.88b.d ± 0.01 2.58c.g ± 0.14 2.45d.j ± 0.01 Biopriming 2.31c.g ± 0.03 2.86b.d ± 0.16 2.20d.h ± 0.27 2.54b.f ± 0.13 2.17e.k ± 0.04 2.53c.i ± 0.20 2.47d.i ± 0.01 2.35d.j ± 0.11 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 2.10d.h ± 0.11 2.59be ± 0.15 2.19d.h ± 0.16 2.52b.f ± 0.16 1.73k ± 0.12 2.13f.k ± 0.08 1.97h.k ± 0.10 1.92i.k ± 0.01 Biopriming 2.11d.h ± 0.02 2.80b.e ± 0.12 2.60b.e ± 0.14 2.66b.e ± 0.20 1.85jk ± 0.20 2.77b.e ± 0.15 2.36d.j ± 0.12 2.36d.j ± 0.23 2.48 2.50 LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 0.7933, Year-II ± 0.6095, Year Interaction ± Non-significant Dry root weight (g) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 1.15c.f ± 0.05 1.88b ± 0.02 1.37b.e ± 0.02 1.52bc ± 0.18 1.39c.f ± 0.06 1.84b.d ± 0.12 1.81b.d ± 0.24 1.65b.f ± 0.21 Biopriming 1.19c.f ± 0.01 2.68a ± 0.07 1.39b.e ± 0.03 1.37b.e ± 0.19 2.06b ± 0.03 2.96a ± 0.03 1.80b.d ± 0.06 1.97bc ± 0.23 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 0.99c.f ± 0.05 1.52bc ± 0.09 1.16c.f ± 0.12 1.12c.f ± 0.13 1.16ef ± 0.02 1.77b.e ± 0.07 1.33d.f ± 0.01 1.57b.f ± 0.03 Biopriming 1.17c.f ± 0.02 1.64bc ± 0.09 1.44b.e ± 0.11 1.40b.e ± 0.08 1.36c.f ± 0.03 1.89b.d ± 0.11 1.43c.f ± 0.06 1.67b.f ± 0.18 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 0.66f ± 0.09 0.99c.f ± 0.15 0.82ef ± 0.14 0.83d.f ± 0.13 1.08f ± 0.03 1.73b.e ± 0.02 1.35d.f ± 0.03 1.44b.f ± 0.02 Biopriming 0.85d.f ± 0.14 1.50b.d ± 0.21 1.32b.f ± 0.03 1.12c.f ± 0.04 1.46b.f ± 0.06 1.76b.e ± 0.12 1.52b.f ± 0.05 1.51b.f ± 0.04 1.29B 1.64A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 0.6708, Year-II ± 0.6178, Year Interaction ± 0.1294 Means sharing the different letters are significantly different from each other’s @0.05 Morphological development attributes The applied terminal water stress negatively reduced the plant height as compared to normal water irrigations; however, bio-priming treatment with Zn foliar spray significantly enhanced the chickpea plant height during both years of exploration (Table 3 ). Year interaction was significant and observation of year-II noted higher plant height values as per year-I (Table 3 ). Data revealed that plants treated with bio-priming along with Zn foliar spray produced the maximum number of primary & secondary branches, number of nodules plant − 1 , and number of grains plant − 1 followed by treatment hydro-priming with K, Mg foliar application under terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation after normal water irrigation during the year-II as per year-I shown in Table 3 . Among different foliar applications of synthetic stimulants, Zn application outperformed with the best results in increasing the plant morphological development attributes as compared to K, Mg while the least values observed in control (water) treatment in this regard during both years 2021–2022, 2022–2023 presented in Table 3 . Year’s interaction was observed as non-significant in the number of secondary branches during the project study (Table 3 ). Table 3 Effect of exogenous application of bio-stimulant on the morphological development attributes of chickpea crop under terminal water stress Year-I (2021–2022) Year-II (2022–2023) Foliar spray Terminal water stress Seed priming Control ZnSO 4 (0.3%) KCl (200 ppm) MgCl 2 (50 ppm) Control ZnSO 4 (0.3%) KCl (200 ppm) MgCl 2 (50 ppm) Plant height (cm) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 41.00gh ± 0.45 46.40d.f ± 0.03 44.30e.g ± 0.86 44.73e.g ± 0.94 57.66c.e ± 0.66 66.60b ± 0.86 53.24e.h ± 0.96 46.14k.n ± 0.60 Biopriming 46.70c.f ± 0.90 66.94a ± 0.78 44.61e.g ± 0.25 54.00b ± 1.93 47.40kl ± 0.50 71.17a ± 0.96 55.33d.f ± 0.96 50.60g.k ± 0.40 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 48.41c.e ± 0.55 53.33b ± 0.79 49.95b.d ± 0.15 47.16c.f ± 0.70 42.54m.o ± 1.08 56.93c.e ± 0.50 46.96k.m ± 0.29 52.17f.j ± 1.67 Biopriming 43.94fg ± 0.56 50.75bc ± 0.49 47.50c.f ± 0.99 41.23gh ± 0.29 49.33h.l ± 0.95 59.30cd ± 0.45 53.97e.g ± 0.83 37.69p ± 0.07 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 32.33j ± 0.74 35.70ij ± 0.42 34.46ij ± 0.55 34.73ij ± 0.13 42.16n.p ± 0.41 47.72j.l ± 0.48 41.43op ± 0.28 45.09l.o ± 0.33 Biopriming 33.43j ± 0.48 37.80hi ± 0.17 37.80hi ± 0.63 34.20ij ± 0.62 47.93i.l ± 0.55 59.96c ± 0.67 52.33f.i ± 0.68 56.94c.e ± 0.68 43.81B 51.69A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 4.2970, Year-II ± 4.5211, Interaction ± 0.8900 No. of Primary Branches Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 3.15d.f ± 0.23 4.72b ± 0.15 4.53bc ± 0.13 3.96b.d ± 0.18 3.21d.f ± 0.15 5.31b ± 0.55 3.28d.f ± 0.42 3.38c.f ± 0.13 Biopriming 4.38bc ± 0.13 6.43a ± 0.02 4.36bc ± 0.04 4.63bc ± 0.31 3.60c.f ± 0.17 6.96a ± 0.18 4.73bc ± 0.23 4.03b.d ± 0.15 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 2.10fg ± 0.19 3.78b.d ± 0.03 3.61c.e ± 0.04 3.11d.f ± 0.15 2.84d.f ± 0.31 3.34d.f ± 0.27 3.28d.f ± 0.03 2.94d.f ± 0.34 Biopriming 2.40fg ± 0.03 4.69bc ± 0.01 3.71b.d ± 0.04 3.87b.d ± 0.01 3.25d.f ± 0.14 3.95c.e ± 0.27 3.75c.f ± 0.28 3.65c.f ± 0.14 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 2.01g ± 0.02 3.63b.e ± 0.34 2.60e.g ± 0.17 2.26fg ± 0.30 2.63ef ± 0.02 3.46c.f ± 0.16 2.70d.f ± 0.03 3.13d.f ± 0.16 Biopriming 3.05d.g ± 0.26 4.26bc ± 0.29 3.66b.e ± 0.11 3.16d.f ± 0.26 2.53f ± 0.17 3.50c.f ± 0.13 2.60ef ± 0.13 3.30d.f ± 0.29 3.67 3.55 LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 1.0871, Year-II ± 1.3583, Interaction ± Non-significant No. of Secondary Branches Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 7.65c.g ± 0.19 9.08b.d ± 0.16 8.38c.e ± 0.43 7.85c.f ± 0.27 9.92b.d ± 0.03 10.86b ± 0.36 6.86f.h ± 0.31 8.50c.g ± 0.42 Biopriming 8.92b.e ± 0.15 13.07a ± 0.20 10.65b ± 0.44 8.91b.e ± 0.40 10.86b ± 0.54 13.23a ± 0.26 10.30bc ± 0.52 9.90b.d ± 0.14 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 5.40h ± 0.29 9.13b.d ± 0.17 8.43c.e ± 0.23 7.23e.g ± 0.30 7.80d.h ± 0.31 9.26b.e ± 0.26 10.86b ± 0.16 6.53gh ± 0.42 Biopriming 8.70c.e ± 0.45 9.23bc ± 0.02 8.70c.e ± 0.17 8.66c.e ± 0.15 7.20e.h ± 0.45 10.56bc ± 0.57 8.30c.g ± 0.26 10.60bc ± 0.58 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 7.76c.f ± 0.42 8.33c.e ± 0.27 8.03c.e ± 0.40 6.20f.h ± 0.14 8.60b.g ± 0.26 7.73d.h ± 0.68 7.24e.h ± 0.08 5.90h ± 0.42 Biopriming 8.23c.e ± 0.14 8.53c.e ± 0.30 7.43d.g ± 0.52 5.90gh ± 0.33 9.20b.f ± 0.14 9.60b.d ± 0.27 7.73d.h ± 0.48 3.30i ± 0.31 8.35B 8.78A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 1.7515, Year-II ± 2.3421, Interaction ± 0.4172 No of Pods Plant − 1 Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 21.43e.h ± 0.57 24.63b.d ± 0.82 22.89c.f ± 0.52 23.10c.e ± 0.56 20.55e.g ± 0.70 23.60b.e ± 0.40 26.66b ± 0.53 25.66bc ± 0.84 Biopriming 20.39f.i ± 0.49 30.94a ± 0.54 23.34b.e ± 0.28 25.16bc ± 0.40 25.96b ± 0.40 32.79a ± 0.86 26.66b ± 0.53 25.66bc ± 0.84 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 16.64jk ± 0.25 22.17d.g ± 0.17 20.32g.i ± 0.34 18.81ij ± 0.44 20.71e.g ± 0.56 21.07d.g ± 0.68 20.07e.g ± 0.71 13.74i ± 0.96 Biopriming 19.50hi ± 0.49 24.39b.d ± 0.36 22.25d.g ± 0.39 25.70b ± 0.56 18.71f.h ± 0.42 20.07e.g ± 0.31 19.41fg ± 0.29 17.37g.i ± 0.80 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 19.45hi ± 0.28 25.22bc ± 0.27 23.65b.e ± 0.26 24.48b.d ± 0.42 13.37i ± 0.73 17.34g.i ± 0.56 14.34i ± 0.56 14.67hi ± 0.87 Biopriming 15.56k ± 0.41 23.67b.e ± 0.86 22.50d.g ± 0.43 20.18g.i ± 0.56 21.67c.f ± 0.70 25.07b.d ± 0.57 21.77c.f ± 0.84 19.04fg ± 0.83 22.35A 21.08B LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 2.5670, Year-II ± 4.1047, Interaction ± 0.7093 No. of Nodules plant − 1 Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 9.36g ± 0.02 12.67b ± 0.02 10.63ef ± 0.03 11.49cd ± 0.02 10.59j ± 0.04 15.62b ± 0.03 12.59e ± 0.04 11.73h ± 0.03 Biopriming 9.31gh ± 0.03 13.50a ± 0.02 10.41f ± 0.02 12.40b ± 0.04 12.31e.g ± 0.03 16.99a ± 0.03 13.42d ± 0.05 12.48ef ± 0.04 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 8.30i ± 0.04 12.50b ± 0.04 9.61g ± 0.03 10.97d.f ± 0.34 9.62l ± 0.17 13.32d ± 0.03 11.42i ± 0.03 10.63j ± 0.03 Biopriming 9.30gh ± 0.02 12.53b ± 0.03 10.43f ± 0.03 11.13de ± 0.31 12.15g ± 0.02 14.15c ± 0.02 11.21i ± 0.01 10.24k ± 0.01 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 5.51l ± 0.01 9.77g ± 0.01 6.66k ± 0.01 8.76hi ± 0.02 10.30k ± 0.02 14.21c ± 0.01 10.26k ± 0.05 9.24m ± 0.04 Biopriming 7.45j ± 0.03 11.78c ± 0.02 8.65i ± 0.02 10.74ef ± 0.03 9.24m ± 0.02 12.28fg ± 0.02 10.24k ± 0.03 9.73l ± 0.07 10.16B 11.83A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 0.5740, Year-II ± 0.2836, Interaction ± 0.0932 No. of Grains plant − 1 Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 48.35f ± 0.08 55.27b ± 0.08 52.50c ± 0.28 50.07e ± 0.04 48.05h ± 0.08 58.91b ± 0.11 48.38h ± 0.04 50.65g ± 0.02 Biopriming 51.30d ± 0.14 58.17a ± 0.05 56.14b ± 0.04 53.21c ± 0.10 52.93de ± 0.01 61.38a ± 0.09 53.70d ± 0.01 55.40c ± 0.06 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 40.69i ± 0.06 48.36f ± 0.04 44.80g ± 0.14 43.17h ± 0.08 42.23m ± 0.33 50.78fg ± 0.35 45.54jk ± 0.04 44.83kl ± 0.40 Biopriming 42.58h ± 0.67 50.55de ± 0.01 45.52g ± 0.08 45.54g ± 0.03 46.56ij ± 0.23 52.06ef ± 0.19 45.86jk ± 0.16 47.33hi ± 0.16 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 29.87n ± 0.01 35.79kl ± 0.05 35.49kl ± 0.05 31.24m ± 0.07 31.89q ± 0.30 38.40n ± 0.32 37.23no ± 0.03 33.53p ± 0.37 Biopriming 34.87l ± 0.04 41.22i ± 0.04 37.27j ± 0.04 36.37jk ± 0.06 36.56o ± 0.22 43.73l ± 0.18 38.53n ± 0.15 38.28n ± 0.42 44.51B 45.95A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 0.9950, Year-II ± 1.3312, Interaction ± 0.2349 Means sharing the different letters are significantly different from each other’s @0.05 Table 4 Effect of exogenous application of bio-stimulant on the yield related attributes of chickpea crop under terminal water stress Year-I (2021–2022) Year-II (2022–2023) Foliar spray Terminal water stress Seed priming Control ZnSO 4 (0.3%) KCl (200 ppm) MgCl 2 (50 ppm) Control ZnSO 4 (0.3%) KCl (200 ppm) MgCl 2 (50 ppm) 100 Grain weight (g) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 19.08d.h ± 0.25 23.25bc ± 0.29 21.18cd ± 0.44 21.21cd ± 0.25 20.85e.g ± 0.27 25.22bc ± 0.32 23.59b.e ± 0.41 24.31b.d ± 0.41 Biopriming 24.59b ± 0.17 28.23a ± 0.52 24.78b ± 0.43 25.32b ± 0.23 23.53b.e ± 0.41 30.01a ± 0.73 26.16b ± 0.98 25.51bc ± 1.13 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 17.05g.i ± 0.29 20.53de ± 0.40 20.38de ± 0.43 18.27e.i ± 0.30 16.02ij ± 0.42 21.50d.g ± 0.28 17.48h.j ± 0.27 15.09j ± 0.15 Biopriming 20.92cd ± 0.42 24.32b ± 0.28 20.81d ± 0.41 24.31b ± 0.24 21.05d.g ± 0.31 25.16bc ± 0.41 22.73c.f ± 0.86 23.07b.f ± 1.03 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 16.86hi ± 0.43 19.39d.g ± 0.16 18.37e.i ± 0.67 19.54d.f ± 0.73 16.08ij ± 0.41 20.13f.h ± 0.41 18.75g.i ± 0.27 18.41g.i ± 0.15 Biopriming 16.67i ± 0.32 21.10cd ± 0.42 17.48f.i ± 0.43 17.74f.i ± 0.27 20.80e.g ± 0.41 22.38c.f ± 0.26 22.35c.f ± 0.27 20.69e.h ± 0.57 20.89B 21.70A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 2.4060, Year-II ± 3.3012, Interaction ± 0.5770 Grain yield (kg ha − 1 ) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 657.1o ± 7.18 1383.3h ± 3.41 1359.4h ± 2.54 1151.6j ± 3.40 881.9n ± 2.93 1590.7e ± 1.36 1420.9h ± 3.76 1138.9k ± 0.48 Biopriming 2152.1c ± 8.84 2961.0a ± 6.43 2245.0b ± 2.80 2155.9c ± 11.01 1456.3g ± 5.60 3163.3a ± 3.55 1756.7d ± 3.30 2254.0b ± 4.50 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 775.6n ± 4.58 1269.1i ± 4.03 1065.1k ± 4.58 838.4m ± 6.57 1052.5l ± 1.62 1763.2d ± 8.31 1348.6j ± 4.00 1549.6f ± 5.79 Biopriming 1377.4h ± 4.27 2041.6d ± 3.93 1750.0f ± 6.72 1653.0g ± 7.77 1379.2i ± 5.38 2249.3b ± 4.06 1361.1ij ± 8.92 2045.6c ± 0.06 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 548.4p ± 4.15 1066.4k ± 8.20 947.7l ± 6.30 655.4o ± 10.89 874.8n ± 3.97 1745.1d ± 0.99 1354.8ij ± 7.67 1452.7g ± 1.73 Biopriming 762.5n ± 3.33 1871.4e ± 4.65 1352.5h ± 4.08 968.5l ± 5.44 648.1o ± 7.82 1451.5g ± 5.83 960.5m ± 6.13 1041.8l ± 4.02 1375.3B 1497.5A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 37.344, Year-II ± 30.061, Interaction ± 6.7865 Biological yield (kg ha − 1 ) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 1738.5p ± 7.35 3250.8i ± 8.52 2960.0j ± 0.34 3248.7i ± 3.89 2339.2q ± 6.99 3687.2h ± 1.91 2765.0n ± 7.41 3263.3k ± 12.74 Biopriming 3514.8f ± 3.26 6442.5a ± 8.96 6018.4b ± 7.94 5103.9d ± 0.56 3137.1l ± 5.48 6124.8a ± 0.59 3826.2g ± 4.98 5647.4b ± 8.95 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 2545.8lm ± 11.95 3324.5h ± 4.65 2555.8l ± 6.99 2661.2k ± 5.70 2667.6o ± 8.11 4548.8d ± 9.56 3721.6h ± 1.99 3234.0k ± 11.26 Biopriming 3447.0g ± 8.36 4658.3e ± 5.50 3454.4g ± 1.39 3256.5i ± 8.56 3267.1k ± 5.89 4866.2c ± 10.76 3340.5j ± 8.36 4431.3e ± 6.76 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 2645.7k ± 8.48 5462.7c ± 10.76 3355.2h ± 3.80 2970.0j ± 7.07 1845.6s ± 4.88 3422.8i ± 2.94 3053.3m ± 11.63 3041.5m ± 7.75 Biopriming 2032.4o ± 12.28 2943.8j ± 5.71 2510.4m ± 2.53 2162.4n ± 1.99 2065.4r ± 5.88 4161.0f ± 8.40 2474.5p ± 6.42 3133.6l ± 3.70 3096.2B 3834.2A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 42.217, Year-II ± 46.100, Interaction ± 8.8670 Harvest index (%) Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming 37.81j ± 0.53 42.55gh ± 0.07 45.92e ± 0.09 35.45k ± 0.12 37.70 43.14 51.39 34.90 Biopriming 61.23b ± 0.29 45.96e ± 0.09 37.30j ± 0.10 42.24h ± 0.21 46.42 51.64 45.91 39.91 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming 30.46l ± 0.16 38.18j ± 0.17 41.68h ± 0.25 31.50l ± 0.18 39.46 38.76 36.24 47.91 Biopriming 39.96i ± 0.22 43.83fg ± 0.14 50.66d ± 0.21 50.76d ± 0.25 42.21 46.22 40.74 46.16 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming 20.73no ± 0.22 19.52o ± 0.19 28.25m ± 0.21 22.06n ± 0.32 47.41 50.98 44.38 47.76 Biopriming 37.53j ± 0.34 63.57a ± 0.27 53.88c ± 0.21 44.79ef ± 0.28 31.39 34.88 38.81 33.24 40.24B 42.40A LSD p @0.05 Year-I ± 1.4419, Year-II ± Non-significant, Interaction ± 0.2740 Means sharing the different letters are significantly different from each other’s @0.05 Yield and yield-related attributes Observations depicted that the applied treatment bio-priming with Zn spray significantly increased 100-grain weight during the normal water irrigation condition followed by terminal water stress at pod formation and flowering than others applied treatments (Table 3 ). During both years of experiments, terminal water stress reduced the grain yield; however, the treatment bio-priming compensated the grain yield with the effective combination of Zn foliar spray than K, Mg under terminal water stress at pod formation followed by flowering condition after normal water irrigation. The Chickpea plant's grain yield achieved better during 2021–2022 than in 2022–2023 of the trials (Table 3 ). It was noted that biological yield improved significantly under the induced terminal water stress at pod formation after bio-priming with Zn spray treatment during the second year than the first year of the trials (Table 3 ). The performance of treatment applied hydro-priming with foliar spray of stimulants Zn, K, and Mg resulted lowest biological yield (Table 3 ). The Harvest index was non-significant, but the values of the harvest index in year-II was observed better than year-I during the trial exploration (Table 3 ). Leaf anti-oxidant defense status In this study, the interactive effect of stimulant application via seed priming, along with foliar spray under terminal water stress on the leaf anti-oxidant contents of chickpea were observed significantly. During the 1st year of the experiment, bio-priming with Zn spray ensured the maximum production of total soluble proteins (TSP) under applied terminal water stress at pod formation followed by the flowering stage while minimum TSP values observed by hydro-priming with foliar spray of K, Mg as compared to 2nd year shown in the Fig. 2 . Plants produced a higher concentration of enzymatic anti-oxidants i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) after the treatment applied bio-priming with Zn spray under terminal water stress as compared to normal water irrigations. The year’s interaction was observed significantly in SOD, POD & CAT production during the 2nd year than in the 1st year (Fig. 2 ). Terminal water stress hampered the release of SOD, POD, and CAT, but treatment applied plants with bio-priming plus Zn spray triggered to improve its production as per other hydro-priming treatments with K, Mg spray during the year 2021–2022, 2022–2023 presented in Fig. 2 . A similar trend was noted in the plants having treatment of bio-priming with Zn spray produced higher non-enzymatic anti-oxidants i.e. ascorbic acid (AsA) and total phenolic contents (TPC) and lowest by hydro-priming with K, Mg spray under the induced terminal water stress at pod formation and at flowering stage than normal water irrigations in both years of experimental field trials shown in Fig. 2 . Grain’s nutrient profile The interactive effect of exogenous application via seed priming with synthetic stimulants was significant for obtaining the biofortified chickpea grains having nutrient profiles such as Zinc-Zn), Iron-Fe, Magnesium-Mg, and Potassium-K under terminal water stress during 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 (Fig. 3 ). Terminal water stress abridged the availability of nutrients, while bio-priming with Zn spray treatments stimulated in enhancement of the maximum uptake Zn than Mg and K contents (Fig. 3 ). Year-II presented a significantly higher Fe concentration after bio-priming treatment along with Zn foliar spray as compared to hydro-priming than year-I (Fig. 3 ). Data described the positive relation of applied foliar spray of Zn in improving the maximum Mg contents than foliar spray with Fe, Mg, and Cl during the first year after the second year of the experiments (Fig. 3 ). K contents in chickpea grains were increased after bio-priming with Zn foliar treatment as compared to hydro-priming treatment with other synthetic stimulants Mg, K under terminal water stress at pod formation and at flowering conditions during 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 (Fig. 3 ). Biplot analysis Furthermore, biplot analysis for principal component analysis was accomplished to check the interaction between the applied treatments of seed priming with synthetic stimulants foliar spray under terminal water stress against chickpea morphological growth, development, yield, anti-oxidants, and nutrient profile parameters. Figure 3 illustrates the similar trend of applied bio-priming treatment with Zn foliar spray obtained a positive correlation relationship of increasing values among the observed attributes under the induced terminal water stress conditions as compared to other treatments. Benefit-cost ratio The economic analysis illustrated that bio-priming with Zn foliar spray achieved a comparatively greater time of benefit-cost ratio than other applied treatments under normal water irrigation followed by terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation (Table 5 ). Table 5 Average years of economic analysis {Year-I (2021–2022), Year-II (2022–2023)} Terminal water stress Seed priming Foliar spray Total expenditure (US $ ha − 1 ) Gross income (US $ ha − 1 ) Net income (US $ ha − 1 ) Benefit cost ratio Normal water irrigation Hydro-priming Control 244.96 485.77 240.81 0.98 ZnSO4 (0.3%) 239.57 698.80 459.23 1.91 KCl (200 ppm) 234.19 448.02 213.83 0.91 MgCl2 (50 ppm) 250.34 708.15 457.80 1.82 Biopriming Control 241.37 560.27 318.89 1.32 ZnSO4 (0.3%) 239.57 987.15 747.57 3.12 KCl (200 ppm) 261.12 689.84 428.72 1.64 MgCl2 (50 ppm) 284.45 1131.12 846.66 2.97 Terminal water stress (Flowering) Hydro-priming Control 235.98 538.34 302.35 1.28 ZnSO4 (0.3%) 241.37 928.53 687.16 2.84 KCl (200 ppm) 244.96 790.99 546.03 2.22 MgCl2 (50 ppm) 250.34 561.46 311.12 1.24 Biopriming Control 241.37 629.27 387.90 1.60 ZnSO4 (0.3%) 255.73 872.30 616.57 2.41 KCl (200 ppm) 250.34 659.79 409.44 1.63 MgCl2 (50 ppm) 261.12 795.24 534.12 2.04 Terminal water stress (Pod formation) Hydro-priming Control 235.98 323.61 87.624 0.37 ZnSO4 (0.3%) 244.96 559.23 314.27 1.28 KCl (200 ppm) 261.12 566.15 305.03 1.16 MgCl2 (50 ppm) 255.73 529.60 273.86 1.07 Biopriming Control 235.98 472.40 236.42 1.00 ZnSO4 (0.3%) 241.37 903.18 661.81 2.74 KCl (200 ppm) 244.96 504.65 259.69 1.06 MgCl2 (50 ppm) 250.34 697.26 446.91 1.78 Discussion Sudden climatic change and its intensity have become a serious threat to the agricultural sector under adverse environmental stresses especially drought stress all over the world (Braun et al. 2010 ). Drought stress diminished the plant emergence, poor crop stand establishment, and curtailed grains production might be due to the abridged performance in terms of morphological growth parameters, development aspects, yield-related attributes, disproportion of anti-oxidant to ROS production, and reduction in the nutrient’s uptake (Nawaz et al. 2024 ). In this project study, chickpea grains production is the result of mutual share of various morphological growth and yield-related attributes like shoot length, root length, plant height, no. of primary branches, no. of secondary branches, no of pods plant − 1 . no. of nodules plant − 1 , no. of grains plant − 1 , 100-grain weight were developed during the crop growing duration (de Valenca et al. 2017 ). The applied terminal water restricted the chickpea crop developments may be the reason for interrupting the water flow from the xylem to the elongation cells along with the availability of improper moisture disrupted the metabolism-related procedures by inhibiting the cell elongation, ceasing cell expansion and hampering mitosis during the cell division (Benjamin and Nielsen 2006 ). Terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation resulted in the highest sensitivity to terminal water stress might be the reason for the substantial cut in plant height, pod formations, nodules developments, grain weight, and development during both years (2021–2022 and 2022–2023) of the experimental trials (Engelbrecht et al. 2007 ). The findings of the research highlighted that delay in the post-anthesis especially in the grain formation stage of chickpeas due to the reduction of photosynthetic rate, augmented leaf senescence, and limitation in source-sink relationships might be the reason for the development of the number of grains and size during the terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation (Madani et al. 2010 ). The reduction trend in the harvest index (HI) under terminal water stress could be due to the ineffective partitioning of photo-assimilates at the reproductive grain’s development conditions (Saini et al. 2000). Results revealed the decline in biological and grain yield might be due to the ineffectual link between the source-sink relationship, inefficacious accumulation of assimilates, lesser dry matter production, and disruption in turgor pressure during the physiological and biochemical processes under the applied terminal water stress at reproductive stages of chickpea (Fereres and Soriano 2007 ). The treatment applied biopriming with Zn spray behaved differently for morphological growth, development, and yield-related attributes might be due to improving trend in anti-oxidant defense behavior against terminal water stress at reproductive stages of chickpea during both years of exploration (Kumar and Abbo 2001 ). Studies have shown that there is an imbalance in the level of homeostasis between anti-oxidant defense behavior and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants under water stress, but the treatments using biopriming with Zn spray caused tolerance by obtaining the production of potentially anti-oxidants might be the reason to reduce the effect of oxidative stress in chickpeas plants (Blokhina et al. 2003 ). Plants with biopriming with Zn spray treatment stimulated the generation of enzymatic activities {total soluble proteins (TSP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT)} and non-enzymatic activities {ascorbic acid (AsA) and total phenolic contents (TPC)} may be acting as an anti-oxidant protective agents system against H 2 O 2 , O 2 H, 1 O 2 under the induced terminal water stress at reproductive flowering and pod formation stages of chickpea during both years-I & year-II of trials (Bektaşoğlu et al. 2006 ). Observations illustrated the supremacy of biopriming with Zn spray in chickpea plants resulted in better drought tolerance under terminal water stress might be the reason for the deleterious effects of cellular oxidative stress due to the elimination of ROS activity (Foyer and Noctor 2005 ). Biopriming with Zn spray motivated the treated plants to boost up the maximum anti-oxidant contents against ROS might be the reason for facilitating photosynthetic activities at the cellular level under terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation during both years of experimental trials (Gunes et al. 2006 ). The use of a biofortification approach via biopriming with Zn spray enhanced the absorption of essential nutrients uptake (Zn, Fe, Mg, K) in the plants for obtaining the biofortified grains production may be the reason for having the positive interaction for facilitating the effective translocation of nutrients absorption through shoots to grains in the chickpea plants (Fageria et al. 2002 ). The application of biopriming with Zn spray on chickpea plants can improve the absorption of nutrients (Zn, Fe, Mg, K), which have been effectively transferred from the shoots to the grains (Imran and Rehim 2017 ). The research project aims to establish an efficient method of biopriming with Zn spray for achieving the biofortified nutrients (Zn, Fe, Mg, K) rich grains production might be the reason for the effectiveness of the chickpea crops' nutritional values (Gupta et al. 2016 ). Data revealed that terminal water stress disrupted the uptake of observed Zn, Fe, Mg, and K nutrient contents under hydro-priming with control (without spray) but the chickpea plants after treatment of biopriming with Zn spray activated the maximum absorption of Zn, Fe, Mg, K uptake and obtained the biofortified nutrients rich grains might be the reason due to better-restoring translocation processing during the grain development phases (Ghasemi et al. 2013 ). The combined use of biopriming with Zn spray may have a potential for an organic approach to sustain agricultural products by ensuring nutrient absorption in terms of mitigating irreversible losses during chickpea grains production (Gunes et al. 2006 ). Biopriming treatment via MLE 30 agents along with Zn spray stimulated the essential role in promoting the nutrient uptake of Zn, Fe, Mg, and K resulting in biofortified grains of chickpea might be the reason for performing better plant physiological, morphological, and metabolic activities during the terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation stage (Rehman et al. 2020 ). In addition, biopriming can ameliorate the morphological growth, development, and yield-related attributes could be the reason acted as a catalyst for increasing the germination potential by triggering the imbibition phase for rapid breakdown of seed dormancy, improving the seed viability, and enhancing the tolerance against drought against lead to the healthy chickpea grain production (Rajala et al. 2011 ). The synergetic use of biopriming with Zn spray improved the biological and grain productivity might be the reason for activating the maximum pollen production during the anthesis stages followed by better transporting the enzymes and proteins to synthesize the grain tissues into grain’s formation during the terminal water at flowering and pod formation stages of chickpea crop. Biopriming treated plants (Dimkpa and Bindraban 2016 ). Biplot and heatmap analysis proved the significant and positive interaction among the attributes after biopriming with Zn spray treatment might be the reason for synchronized transportation of essential nutrients (Zn, Fe, Mg, K) uptake from roots to shoots to grains during the vegetative to reproductive growth stages of chickpea under applied terminal water stress (Xue et al. 2023 ). This project study resulted in innovation based on cost-effectiveness, easily adaptable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly for farmers as well as the scientific community in field conditions (Wasaya et al. 2017). The applied biopriming with Zn spray demonstrated the best feedback of greater net income as well as benefit-cost ratio may be the reason due to a commercially successful, financially rewarding, and applicable technique for cultivation of chickpea crop under the induced normal water irrigations followed by terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation stages during both years of trials (2021–2022) and (2022–2023) (Nawaz et al. 2024 ). Conclusion Findings of the 2 years of project studies concluded that the application of moringa biopriming with Zn spray was the best option for achieving the nutrients biofortified chickpea grains by improving yield-related attributes along with potential antioxidant defense system during the terminal water stress applied at reproductive stages. Therefore, moringa biopriming with Zn spray may be recommended as an alternative agronomic biofortification approach for chickpea crop production under unfavorable conditions related to water stress and soil nutrient deficiency. Declarations Author Contribution H Nawaz: Supervision, Writing–original draft– review & editing. MM Yousaf: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation. N Hussain: Conceptualization, Validation. MZ Ihsan: Writing–review & editing. MS Alwahibi, MS Elshikh, R Iqbal: Funding acquisition. Data availability statement The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. Acknolwedgement The authors extend their appreciation to the Researchers supporting project number (RSP2024R173), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The authors also gratefully acknowledge technical support provided by Cholistan Insitute of Desert Studies, Faculty of Agriculture & Envrionment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur for sharing laboratory facilities for research biochemical analysis. Conflict of interest H Nawaz, MM Yousaf, N Hussain, MZ Ihsan, MS Alwahibi, MS Elshikh, and R Iqbal declare that they have no competing interests. References Ainsworth EA, Gillespie KM (2007) Estimation of total phenolic content and other oxidation substrates plant in tissues using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Nat Protoc 2:875–877. https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2007.102 Bektaşoğlu B, Celik SE, Ozyürek M, Güçlü K, Apak R (2006) Novel hydroxyl radical scavenging antioxidant activity assay for water-soluble antioxidants using a modified CUPRAC method. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 345:1194–2000. https://doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.05.038 Benjamin JG, Nielsen DC (2006) Water deficit effects on root distribution of soybean, field pea and chickpea. Field Crops Res 97:248–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2005.10.005 Bhatt R, Hossain A, Sharma P (2020) Zinc biofortification as an innovative technology to alleviate the zinc deficiency in human health: a review. Open Agric 5:176–187. https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2020-0018 Blokhina O, Virolainen E, Fagerstedt KV (2003) Antioxidants, oxidative damage and oxygen deprivation stress: a review. Ann Bot 91:179–194. https://doi:10.1093/aob/mcf118 Bradford M (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal Biochem 72:248–254. https://doi.org/10.1006/abio.1976.9999 Braun HJ, Atlin G, Payne T (2010) Multi-location testing as a tool to identify plant response to global climate change. In: M. P. Reynolds, ed. Climate Change and Crop Production, pp. 115–138. CABI Climate Change Series, Wallingford, UK. https://doi:10.1079/9781845936334.0115 Cakmak I (2005) The role of potassium in alleviating detrimental effects of abiotic stresses in plants. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 168:521–530. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.200420485 Cakmak, I. 2013. Magnesium in crop production, food quality and human health. Plant Soil 368:1–4. https://www.jstor.org/stable/i40113730 Chance M, Maehly AC (1954) The assay of catalases and peroxidases. Methods Biochem Anal 1:357–424. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470110171.ch14 de Valenca AW, Bake A, Brouwer ID, Giller KE (2017) Agronomic biofortification of crops to fight hidden hunger in sub-Saharan Africa. Glob Food Secur 12:8–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GFS.2016.12.001 Dewey DR, Lu KH (1959) A correlation and path coefficient analysis of components of crested wheat grass and seed production. J Agron 51:515–518. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1959.00021962005100090002x Dimkpa CO, Bindraban PS (2016) Fortification of micronutrients for efficient agronomic production: a review. Agron Sustain Dev 36:7. https://doi:10.1007/s13593-015-0346-6 Engelbrecht BMJ, Comita LS, Condit R, Kursar TA, Tyree MT, Turner BL, Hubbell SP (2007) Drought sensitivity shapes species distribution patterns in tropical forests. Nature 447:80–82. https://doi:10.1038/nature05747 Fageria NK, Baligar VC, Clark RB (2002) Micronutrients in crop production. Adv Agron 77:185–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(02)77015-6 Farooq M, Wahid A, Kobayashi N, Fujita D, Basra SMA (2009) Plant drought stress: Efects, mechanisms, and management. Agron Sustain Dev 29:185–212. https://doi.org/10.1051/agro:2008021 Fereres E, Soriano MA (2007) Deficit irrigation for reducing agricultural water use. J Exp Bot 58:147–159. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erl165 Foyer CH, Noctor G (2005) Redox homeostasis and antioxidant signaling: A metabolic interface between stress perception and physiological responses. Plant Cell 17:1866–1875. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.105.033589 Ghasemi S, Khoshgoftarmanesh AH, Afyuni M, Hadadzadeh H (2013) The effectiveness of foliar applications of synthesized zinc-amino acid chelates in comparison with zinc sulfate to increase yield and grain nutritional quality of wheat. Eur J Agron 45:68–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.eja.2012.10.012 Giannopolitis CN, Reis SK (1997) Superoxide dismutase I. Occurrence in higher plants. Plant Physiol 59:309–314. https://doi.10.1104/pp.59.2.309 Gunes A, Cicek N, Inal A, Alpaslan M, Eraslan F, Guneri E, Guzelordu T (2006) Genotypic response of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars to drought stress implemented at pre- and post-anthesis stages and its relations with nutrient uptake and efficiency. Plant Soil Environ 52:368–376. http://doi:10.17221/3454-PSE Gupta N, Ram H, Kumar B (2016) Mechanism of zinc absorption in plants: uptake, transport, translocation and accumulation. Rev Environ Sci Bio 15:89–109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-016-9390-1 Gupta S, Brazier AKM, Lowe NM (2020) Zinc deficiency in low- and middle-income countries: prevalence and approaches for mitigation. J Hum Nutr Diet 33:624–643. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12791 Imran M, Rehim A (2017) Zinc fertilization approaches for agronomic biofortification and estimated human bioavailability of zinc in maize grain. Arch Agron Soil Sci 63:106–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2016.1185660 Khan AM, Hussain S, Rengel Z, Shah MAA (2018) Zinc bioavailability and nitrogen concentration in grains of wheat crop sprayed with zinc sulfate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, and urea. J Plant Nutr 41:1926–1936. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2018.1484472 Kopittke PM, Lombi E, Wang P, Schjoerring JK, Husted S (2019) Nanomaterials as Fertilizers for Improving Plant Mineral Nutrition and Environmental Outcomes. Environ Sci Nano 6:3513–3524. https://doi:10.1039/C9EN00971J Krebs NF, Miller LV, Hambridge KM (2014) Zinc deficiency in infants and children: a review of its complex and synergistic interactions. J Paediatr Child Health 34:279–288. https://doi.org/10.1179/2046905514Y.0000000151 Kumar J, Abbo S (2001) Genetics of flowering time in chickpea and its bearing on productivity in the semi-arid environments. Adv Agron 72:107–138. http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/5696 Madani A, Rad AS, Pazoki A, Nourmohammadi G, Zarghami R (2010) Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) grain filling and dry matter partitioning responses to source: sink modifications under post anthesis water and nitrogen deficiency. Acta Sci Agron 32:145–151. https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v32i1.6273 Mao H, Wang J, Wang Z, Zan Y, Lyons G, Zou C (2014) Using agronomic biofortification to boost zinc, selenium, and iodine concentrations of food crops grown on the loess plateau in China. J Soil Sci Plant Nut 14:459–470. https://DOI:10.4067/S0718-95162014005000036 Nawaz H, Rehman H, Yousef MM, Ali L, Hussain N, Abdullah M, Iqbal R, Alharb SA, Ansari MJ, Kriaučiūnienė Z, Ayaz M (2024) Zinc-priming via moringa leaf extract (MLE30) achieved Zn biofortified wheat grains and drought tolerance by efficient anti-oxidant status. Plant Stress 12:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2024.100501 Nawaz H, Nazim H, Niaz A, Haseeb R, Javiz A (2021) Efficiency of seed bio-priming technique for healthy mungbean productivity under terminal drought stress. J Integr Agric 20:2–14. https://doi:10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63184-7 Nawaz H, Rehman Hu, Ihsan MZ et al (2024) Organic seed priming with curtailed seed rate compensated wheat grains productivity by upgrading anti-oxidant status against terminal drought at flowering and milking. Sci Rep 14:4941. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54767-6 Nawaz H, Yasmeen A, Anjum MA, Hussain N (2016) Exogenous application of growth enhancers mitigate water stress in wheat by antioxidant elevation. Front Plant Sci 7:1–11. https://doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.00597 Pal V, Singh G, Dhaliwal SS (2019) Agronomic biofortification of chickpea with zinc and iron through application of zinc and urea. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 50:1864–1877. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2019.1648490 Pathak GC, Gupta B, Pandey N (2012) Improving reproductive efficiency of chickpea by foliar application of zinc. Braz J Plant Physiol 24:173–180. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-04202012000300004 Rajala A, Niskanen M, Isolahti M, Peltonen-Sainio P (2011) Seed quality effects on seedling emergence, plant stand establishment and grain yield in two-row barley. Agr Food Sci 20:228–234. https://doi.org/10.2137/145960611797471516 Rehman A, Farooq M, Ullah A, Nadeem F, Im SY, Park SK, Lee D-J (2020) Agronomic Biofortification of Zinc in Pakistan: Status, Benefits, and Constraints. Front sustain food syst 4:591722. http://doi:10.3389/fsufs.2020.591722 Saini HS, Westgate ME (2000) Reproductive development in grain crops during drought. Adv Agron 68:59–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(08)60843-3 Sinha R, Irulappan V, Mohan-raju B, Suganthi A, Senthil-Kumar M (2019) Impact of drought stress on simultaneously occurring pathogen infection in field-grown chickpea. Sci Rep 9:5577. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-41463-z Steel RGD, Torrie JH, Dicky DA (1997) Principles and Procedures of Statistics, A Biometrical Approach 3 rd edn, 352–358 (McGraw Hill Inc) Teklu D, Gashu D, Joy EJ, Lark R, Bailey EH, Wilson L, Amede T, Broadley MR (2023) Genotypic response of finger millet to zinc and iron agronomic biofortification, location and slope position towards yield. Agronomy 13:1452 https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061452 Ullah A, Farooq M, Rehman A, Hussain M, Siddique KHM (2020) Zinc nutrition in chickpea ( Cicer arietinum ): a review. Crop Pasture Sci 71:199–218. https://doi:10.1071/CP19357 Wang S, Li M, Liu K, Tian X, Li S, Chen Y, Jia Z (2017) Effects of Zn, macronutrients, and their interactions through foliar applications on winter wheat grain nutritional quality. PLoS One 12:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181276 Wasaya Allah, Shabir MS, Hussain M, Ansar M, Aziz A, Hassan W, Ahmad Ijaz (2017) Foliar application of zinc and boron improved the productivity and net returns of maize grown under rainfed conditions of Pothwar plateau. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 17:33–45. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-95162017005000003 Waterhouse AL (2001) Determination of total phenolics. In Current Protocols in Food Analytical Chemistry (ed. Wrolstad, R. E.) (John Wiley and Sons). https://doi.org/10.1002/0471142913.fai0101s06 Xue YF, Li XJ, Yan W, Miao Q, Zhang CY, Huang M, Sun JB, Qi SJ, Ding ZH, Cui ZL (2023) Biofortification of different maize cultivars with zinc, iron and selenium by foliar fertilizer applications. Front Plant Sci 14:1144514. https://doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1144514 Yasmeen A et al (2013) Exogenous application of moringa leaf extract modulates the antioxidant enzyme system to improve wheat performance under saline conditions. Plant Growth Regul 69:225–233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-012-9764-5 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5058772","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":366222114,"identity":"78cd3f44-605b-4bfc-87d7-2d8da5123739","order_by":0,"name":"Hamid Nawaz","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA6UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACAyA+wANmMh84wNgA4jIwgGkitLAlEK+FAaKFx4CBKC3m7KcTD7zdYZfY33/m42HeHQxyfDcS2B7OwKPFsid3w8G5Z5ITZxw4u+Ew7xkGY8kbCeyGG/A57EAuUGUbc27DwV4QgyFxA9AWyQf4tJx/C1JZnzv/MM8DkJZ6wlpugG05nLvhGA8DSEuCAUgLXofdeAv0S9vx+o1n2AyAnpIwnHnmYbshPu8bnM/d/OFtW7Wx3PnDjz+83WEjz3c8+djDHjxa0IEEEDO2kaABCthI1zIKRsEoGAXDGQAAG6dfAHkV+FgAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"The Islamia University of Bahawalpur","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hamid","middleName":"","lastName":"Nawaz","suffix":""},{"id":366222115,"identity":"42f2a694-45e2-4f7a-a21f-c4bbb99fdbc2","order_by":1,"name":"Malik Muhammad Yousaf","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Arid Zone Research Institute, Bahawalpur, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Pakistan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Malik","middleName":"Muhammad","lastName":"Yousaf","suffix":""},{"id":366222116,"identity":"efef1c84-3eef-4c80-b933-3adb05796bd0","order_by":2,"name":"Nazim Hussain","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Bahauddin Zakariya University of Multan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Nazim","middleName":"","lastName":"Hussain","suffix":""},{"id":366222118,"identity":"50c4f9a3-3c7e-4c77-868e-e50f16c3763c","order_by":3,"name":"Muhammad Zahid Ihsan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Bahauddin Zakariya University of Multan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muhammad","middleName":"Zahid","lastName":"Ihsan","suffix":""},{"id":366222119,"identity":"ea0ccce0-a02f-45c8-b4bc-47b8f020a628","order_by":4,"name":"Mona S Alwahibi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"King Saud University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mona","middleName":"S","lastName":"Alwahibi","suffix":""},{"id":366222120,"identity":"e5b1fc8a-5c69-4dae-979f-c615a932d545","order_by":5,"name":"Mohamed S Elshikh","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"King Saud University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mohamed","middleName":"S","lastName":"Elshikh","suffix":""},{"id":366222121,"identity":"a9d412fc-d24a-4ba8-ac9e-248f8899a4c3","order_by":6,"name":"Rashid Iqbal","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"The Islamia University of Bahawalpur","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rashid","middleName":"","lastName":"Iqbal","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-09-09 14:40:31","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5058772/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5058772/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":69236642,"identity":"84e1ab64-6e3a-445c-8472-b4fa4a6a5c48","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-11-18 09:50:35","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":50260,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeteorological data during the chickpea growing season 2021-2022, 2022-2023\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeather status of Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5058772/v1/95557facd1fd0c78b0eecaab.png"},{"id":69236107,"identity":"61e81a42-0995-4fa2-b7ff-5c78591dad7d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-11-18 09:42:35","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":219355,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEffect of exogenous application of bio-stimulant on the leaf anti-oxidant contents of chickpea crop under terminal water stress\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5058772/v1/d739113b9a069a9386fcb378.png"},{"id":69236106,"identity":"0b01ee7d-a87c-4adf-9d30-e794aedfa506","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-11-18 09:42:35","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":327547,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEffect of exogenous application of bio-stimulant on the grains nutrients contents of chickpea crop\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5058772/v1/ff4292ae60e0015609e5d68b.png"},{"id":69236103,"identity":"84784043-f296-41d9-bc57-b672421f5ea8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-11-18 09:42:35","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":295738,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiplot analysis for principal component analysis (PCA) of morphological growth, development, yield, anti-oxidants and nutrients profile of chickpea under terminal water stress\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5058772/v1/06050ddb215be2979512bc09.png"},{"id":69236643,"identity":"92f4dd86-3a6a-4674-a46a-059672c2cd44","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-11-18 09:50:35","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":80287,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeatmap analysis on morphological growth, development, yield, anti-oxidants and nutrients profile of chickpea under terminal water stress\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5058772/v1/5177eabf3d7c7d736cfee217.png"},{"id":69238550,"identity":"c05537ca-fe68-4d48-a64c-356e47c09b25","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-11-18 09:58:37","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":3970003,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5058772/v1/43e20d86-5f3f-46f8-8ea7-07f94acdbb53.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Moringa Bio-Priming with Zn Spray Improved Nutrients Rich Biofortified Chickpea Grains and Drought Tolerance at Reproductive Stages under Arid Environment","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eMicro-malnutrition also called \u0026ldquo;hidden hunger\u0026rdquo; becomes a severely drastic threat worldwide and arises during food consumption a deficiency of mineral micronutrients for processing the physiological functions of normal human health (Krebs et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). Zinc-Zn, Iron-Fe, Magnesium-Mg, and Potassium-K are the most essential micronutrient intake for humans, and their malnutrition resulted in stunted public growth systems worldwide (Bhatt et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2019, Zn daily requirement ranges from 8.5\u0026ndash;11 mg for adult men and 11.5\u0026ndash;13.5 mg for women and its deficiency becomes lethal, especially in underdeveloped countries including Pakistan (Khan et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Zn plays an important role in numerous metabolic activities including proteins, carbohydrates, enzyme synthesis as well as catalysts and part of receptors during the activities of the human neurological development phase (Gupta et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChickpeas are a healthy vegetable and one of the most important foods for humans and animals in South Asia (Pal et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Its consumption not only adds flavor and texture to grain products but also upgrades the nutrients to the staple food to ensure a balanced diet suitable for all foods (Sinha et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Observations illustrated that the chickpea crop behaves susceptible under imposed Zn deficiency conditions and its growth is affected in cholistan arid agricultural region of country (Pathak et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). Rehman et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e) illustrated the findings of research that water stress disrupted the interruption between crop-soil-water relationships in terms of absorption and transpiration rates respectively. The combination of Zn malnutrition and terminal water stress drastically affected crop productivity due to improper functioning of morphological, anti-oxidants, and nutrient attributes towards maturation, and faced 50\u0026ndash;60% grain yield loss (Wang et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). The exogenous application of Zn boosted the nutrient\u0026rsquo;s uptake, enzymatic, and non-enzymatic activities, and nodulation during the nitrogen fixation process and obtained the optimum grain production (Gunes et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiofortification refers to the improvement of the quantity and quality of grain nutritional profile by using various generic or agronomic approaches during the crop growth period (Teklu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Agronomic biofortification is one of the best sustainable techniques via seed priming, seed coating, soil fertigation, and foliar spray for inducing the nutrients in the crops (Mao et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). The synergistic application of organic seed priming called bio-priming with foliar spray of synthetic Zn, Mg, and K stimulants may have the potential to achieve dual goals of enhancing the grain\u0026rsquo;s bioavailability and net economic return in terms of saving millions of US dollars by reducing the threat of food security and risk of Zn malnutrition (Xue et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoringa is widely known as the \"Miracle Plant\" due to its dual feature to trigger the absorption of nutrients and ameliorate tolerance by upgrading the crop's anti-oxidant defense system during terminal water stress (Nawaz et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Moringa oleifera extract (MLE30) is a recently emerging organic bio-stimulant having a rich source of zeatin, amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, micro and macronutrients; it can be used as a seed priming agent called \u0026ldquo;Moringa Biopriming\u0026rdquo; (Yasmeen et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). The applied treatment of moringa bio-priming motivated the crop performance by achieving uniform germination, growth, yield, biochemical analysis, uptake of nutrients, etc. under the applied unfavorable water stress conditions (Farooq et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKeeping in the author\u0026rsquo;s best knowledge, there is a dire need to investigate chickpea productivity by using the synergistic approach of bio-priming treatment with Zn foliar spray under terminal water stress.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSynthesis of moringa leaf extract (MLE\u003csub\u003e30\u003c/sub\u003e)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFresh branches of healthy moringa trees having fleshy green mature leaves early at 11:00 am at the Moringa Garden, in the Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences \u0026amp; Technology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. All the leaves were collected, washed, and stored in the laboratory chiller freezer for 72 hours at the temperature \u0026ndash; 80\u0026deg;C after washing with distilled water. The chilled leaves were crushed and pressed through a manually made extractor machine to get moringa extract. The collected extract was separately centrifuged by applying the standard resolution at 8000 rpm for 15 minutes. The purified extract was diluted 30 times at a ratio of 1:30 (moringa extract: distilled water) (Yasmeen et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eProject site, weather, and soil data\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe project study was evaluated at the Agronomic Experimental Research Area, Arid Zone Research Institute-AZRI Bahawalpur (30.01 \u0026deg;N, 71.98 \u0026deg;E) Southern Punjab, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council-PARC Islamabad, Pakistan during the winter season of chickpea of 2021\u0026ndash;2022 and 2022\u0026ndash;2023. Meteorological data was observed at the Weather Station, in the Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies-CIDS, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur-IUB, Pakistan presented in the graphical format having mean values of maximum, minimum, humidity, and rainfall during both years of phenological growth stages of chickpea (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). For soil analysis, three different locations were selected for soil sampling at the experimental field trials, and collected the soil samples via stainless-steel spade for determining the soil properties at the Soil Fertility Laboratory, in the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences \u0026amp; Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University of Multan, Pakistan. All the standard procedures were applied to measure the soil physico-chemical properties of the collected experimental soil samples (Nawaz et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture related to \u0026ldquo;Lyallpur\u0026rdquo; soil series having soil properties as sand (42.01%), silt (59.92%), clay (33.88%), organic matter (0.78%), saturation (35.87%), nitrogen (0.04\u0026ndash;0.11%), phosphorus (1.78 mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e), potassium (5.76 mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e), zinc (0.36\u0026ndash;0.42 mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e), EC (0.68 dS m\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e), and pH (8.14) during the both years (2021\u0026ndash;2022 and 2022\u0026ndash;2023) of trials.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eExperimental design, and layout\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe experiments consisted of the following factors and treatments i.e., bio-fortification factor; hydro-priming, bio-priming, foliar spray; control (water), ZnSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e.7H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO (0.3%) (Ullah et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), KCl (200 ppm) (Cakmak \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e), MgCl\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e (50 ppm) (Cakmak \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e) and terminal water stress; terminal water stress at Flowering, terminal water stress at Pod formation, normal water irrigation. The chickpea \u0026ldquo;Bhakhar-2011\u0026rdquo; was used as a test species. Biofortification via seed priming was carried out by mixing the seeds with MLE\u003csub\u003e30\u003c/sub\u003e solution at the ratio 1:30 (MLE\u003csub\u003e30\u003c/sub\u003e: water) under an aerated environment through an electric aquarium vacuum pump for 8 hours. Biofortification via foliar spray was carried out at critical growth stages of flowering and pod formation in the chickpea crop. A digital tensiometer was used to maintain the field capacity after applied irrigations for terminal water stress. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with three factorial arrangements and replicated thrice during both years I \u0026amp; II of the trials.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCrop husbandry\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe seedbed was prepared by irrigating 3 inches in the experimental area. Tractor-mounted cultivator was used to cultivate the field twice followed by planking after achieving the soil workable field capacity during the chickpea winter season 2021\u0026ndash;2022 and 2022\u0026ndash;2023. The treated seeds of Bhakhar-2011 were sown via hand-made drill as per the recommended seed rate of 60 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e. Seeds were planted uniformly according to the recommended depth (3\u0026ndash;5 cm) by making 25 cm R\u0026ndash;R distance and 10 cm P\u0026ndash;P during the second fortnight of October. Seedling thinning was performed by keeping the plant density at one plant\u0026ndash;hill 15 days after emergence. The required fertilizers of Urea (20 Kg N ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) and Di-ammonium phosphate (22 Kg P ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) were applied during the soil seedbed preparation. All agronomic control measures were taken during the experimental trials of chickpea growth. Experimental trials were harvested in the April first fortnight during 2021\u0026ndash;2022 and 2022\u0026ndash;2023.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eObservations\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAnti-oxidant biochemical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEach experimental treatment unit was selected for collecting the healthy plant leaves in the morning at time of temperature 22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5\u0026deg;C at 11:00 am after 10 days of last irrigation. The leaves samples were tagged and stored in the polythene bags in the laboratory chiller at \u0026ndash; 80\u0026deg;C for biochemical analysis. The standard protocols were followed for observing the anti-oxidant contents. For total soluble proteins (TSP), the sample leaves (0.5 g) were ground in the pestle mortar by adding prepared buffer extract 1 mL (pH 7.3). The pH of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was maintained at 7.2 by gradually adding 10 mM Na\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eHPO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2 mM KH\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003ePO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2.7 mM KCl\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;1.37 mM NaCl up to 1 L. HCl. A protease inhibitor (1 \u0026micro;M) was mixed in a buffer solution before the extraction of proteins followed by the procedure to run the sample material in a centrifuged machine for three minutes at the resolution of 15,000 \u0026times; g and then the supernatant material was separated into the Eppendorf test tube. The graphical standard curve was carried out at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 \u0026micro;g mL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e in the Excel sheet from bovine serum albumin (BSA) after addition to 400 \u0026micro;L Dye stock and deionized distilled water. The samples were carefully mixed with a vortex mixer and incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. TSP values were observed after adjusting the 595 nm absorbance in the nano-spectrophotometer (Bradford \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1976\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe values of peroxidase-POD and catalase-CAT were determined by synthesizing the reactive mixture with 400 \u0026micro;L guaiacol (20 mM) followed by the addition of 500 \u0026micro;L H2O2 (40 mM), 2 mL phosphate (50 mM) in 100 \u0026micro;L sample. The absorbance was adjusted to 470 nm for measuring POD contents within 15 s up to 5 minutes. For CAT values; absorbance was adjusted at 240 nm within 25 s for 5 minutes after the decomposition of reactive mixture with H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e (Chance and Maehly \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1954\u003c/span\u003e). In the case of Superoxide dismutase (SOD); a reactive mixture of 50 \u0026micro;L samples was prepared by mixing 1 mL nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) (50 \u0026micro;M), 500 \u0026micro;L methionine (13 mM), 1mL riboflavin (1.3 \u0026micro;M), 950 \u0026micro;L (50 mM) phosphate buffer and 500 \u0026micro;L EDTA (75mM). Afterward, prepared samples were placed in the dark section of the laboratory, where the 30 W fluorescent light was switched on for 5 minutes. SOD values were noted at the absorbance of 560 nm during the visibility of blue formazane after NBT photo reduction (Giannopolitis and Reis \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor ascorbic acid-AsA, the sample (200 \u0026micro;L) was prepared by adding 1.4 mL PBS followed by incubating at laboratory temperature (25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5\u0026deg;C) for 90 seconds. Meanwhile, various reagents including 0.4 mL trichloroacetic acid (10%), 44% phosphoric acid (0.4 mL), 0.2 mL 2, 2-biphenyl, and 0.2 mL FeCl\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e (3%) as per protocol were added, mixed, and incubated for 1 hour at 35\u0026deg;C in the laboratory incubator. AsA values were determined by adjusting the absorbance at 525 nm (Ainsworth and Gillespie \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). For total phenolic contents, gallic acid was accustomed to a standard stock solution. The tagged samples were homogenized, and filtered by using the acetone-80% via extraction up to 10 mL. the required sample (20 \u0026micro;L) was mixed with 1.58 mL deionized (DI) water followed by 100 \u0026micro;L Folin Ciocalteu reagents within 25 s up to 9 minutes. Then, the reactive mixture was kept in the incubator at 40\u0026deg;C for 30 minutes in the laboratory after mixing 300 \u0026micro;L sodium carbonate and the TPC values at 760 nm absorbance (Waterhouse \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNutrient\u0026rsquo;s analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eVarious steps were practiced for the analysis of plant nutrients by following the standard protocols in the laboratory environment. For this, treated seeds were crushed into powder and 0.5 g of dried seed ground material was added to the digestion tube followed by the mixing of 5 mL of concentrated H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e. The tested tubes were kept in the laboratory incubator at temperature (25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5\u0026deg;C). All the tubes were adjusted in the digestion heat chamber and poured down 0.5 mL of H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e (35%) alongside the digestion tubes by heating for 30 minutes at a temperature of 35\u0026deg;C until the production of fumes. The tubes were gently removed from the chamber and left for the cooling process. In the continuation of the digestion process, 0.5 mL H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e was added gradually under the digestion chamber repeatedly until the material cooled and was transparent in the volumetric flask at 50 mL. A flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (model AA-7000, SHIMADZU) was used after the filtration process to measure the Zn, Mg, and Fe contents and for K contents determined through a flame photometer (Jenway PFP-7, UK) (Kopittke et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEconomic analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was calculated after the applied treatments of biofortification seed priming, and foliar spray treatments under various terminal water stress in chickpeas. Total expenditures for chickpea production consisted of experimental field rent, charges for seedbed preparation, applied seed \u0026amp; fertilizers rates, sowing \u0026amp; irrigation charges, charges required for all protection measures, and trial harvesting charges. The current market rate of chickpea grains and straw for calculating the gross income. Net income was calculated by subtracting the gross income from total expenditures followed by dividing the gross income into total expenditures for the benefit-cost ratio (Nawaz et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBiplot principal component analysis (PCA) and heatmap analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiplot and heatmap analysis were performed in the observed attributes after the application of biofortification seed priming, and foliar spray treatments under various terminal water stress in chickpeas. This method demonstrated the division of correlation coefficient among direct or indirect impacts by substituting average means during both years of trials for random variables on the consequential variables (Dewey and Lu \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1959\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAgronomic analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll the agronomic parameters were observed including chickpea plant morphological growth (shoot length, fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, root length, fresh root weight, dry root weight), development (plant height, no. of primary branches, no. of secondary branches, no of pods plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e. no. of nodules plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, no. of grains plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) and yield related components (100-grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index) during both years of trials by following the standard protocols.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistics analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData was analyzed by using Fisher\u0026rsquo;s analysis of variance technique (Steel et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e). Statistix v8.1 software was used for the least significant difference (LSD) test for comparing the applied treatment means @ 5% probability level. The tables and graphs were drawn via updated MS Office 2019.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMorphological growth attributes\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA significant interactive effect of applied exogenous treatments seed priming, and foliar spray under terminal water stress on the chickpea morphological growth attributes during both years of experiments (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Observations demonstrated that bio-priming with Zn spray treatments noted with maximum shoot length, fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, root length, fresh root weight, and dry root weight of chickpea under normal water irrigations as well as terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation as compared to hydro-priming during 2021\u0026ndash;2022 and 2022\u0026ndash;2023 years of project studies (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Data revealed that the increasing trend in the observed morphological growth parameters was noted during the second year as compared to the first year (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Data showed that the lowest values in the morphological growth parameters were observed in the applied foliar spray of K, Mg, and control (water) with hydro-priming treatment under terminal water stress at pod formation during the years-I \u0026amp; II (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Year interaction was observed as non-significant in the observed values of root length, and fresh root weight shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. Similarly, the year interaction was observed positively significant in the attributes of shoot length, fresh shot weight, dry shoot weight, and dry root weight (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The observed growth attributes were observed higher under the induced normal water irrigation as compared to terminal water stress applied at flowering followed by pod formation during both years 2021\u0026ndash;2022, and 2022\u0026ndash;2023 of the project study (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil characteristics of experimental field research area during 2021\u0026ndash;2022 and 2022\u0026ndash;2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil properties\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValues\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eObservations\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2021\u0026ndash;2022\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2022\u0026ndash;2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(dS m\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003epH\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrganic matter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailable N\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.062\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.063\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailable P\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExtractable K\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil Zn\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.40\u0026ndash;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.41\u0026ndash;0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaturation percentage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-holding capacity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(Inches ft\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTextural class\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSandy loam\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSandy loam\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of exogenous application of bio-stimulant on the morphological growth attributes of chickpea crop under terminal water stress\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"12\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear-I (2021\u0026ndash;2022)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear-II (2022\u0026ndash;2023)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"9\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFoliar spray\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTerminal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewater stress\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003epriming\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eZnSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(0.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKCl\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(200 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMgCl\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(50 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eZnSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(0.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKCl\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(200 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMgCl\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(50 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eShoot length\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(cm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.80ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.84bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.16d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.80cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.29fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.19b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.01e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.42c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.47d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.51a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.51d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.81cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.97fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.78a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.04ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.26d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.36hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.54bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.47d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.45fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.87m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.97bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.29e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.93gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.48g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.52b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.48f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.47c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.32i.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.06b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.32fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.33b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.21hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.00g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.85hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.93h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.69m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.64hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.65lm\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.52k.m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.84hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.54fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.24i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.58g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.34lm\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.23fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.39j.l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.06h.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e40.58B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e41.73A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.6891, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.2376, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.6916\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFresh shoot weight (g)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.58e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.78b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.14d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.26e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.80k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.60bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.23b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.93b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.05fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.44a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.81d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.33c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.96b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.76a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.20b.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.56bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.78ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.78c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.51h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.76fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.10d.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.13d.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.46f.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.76ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.04f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.66b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.17b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.34g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.70b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.30b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.46c.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.03e.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.50hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.91e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.44k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.70fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.26k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.33d.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.66h.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.56jk\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.68h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.02d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.84j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.06hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.93jk\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.63b.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.53g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.63g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e29.32B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e33.40A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.5855, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.2022, Year Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.6348\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDry shoot weight\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(g)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.91f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.55b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.68d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.66d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.62de\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.94bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.81c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.17f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.51b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.61a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.85bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.71f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.80cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.64a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.73b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.32j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.28ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.61b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.95e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.87d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.09f.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.81e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.74f.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.24g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.88f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.35c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.28bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.95f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.24g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.64d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.54f.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.61e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.55i.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.51h.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.58i.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.07h.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.87ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.68e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.95hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.21g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.98k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.31c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.15g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.11jk\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.58hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.23e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.78hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.24g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e14.00B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e15.94A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.9928, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.2465, Year Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.5347\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRoot length\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(cm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.01gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.65d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.98e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.58d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.04ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.10b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.27b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.58c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.56f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.01a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.31cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.25b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.37b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.90a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.37b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.37bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.68h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.69bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.81d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.45d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.67f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.17c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.40c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.80d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.71f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.08c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.08c.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.85c.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.12ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.24bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.70b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.16c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.95gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.61c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.61c.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.58c.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.00f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.50d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.74f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.04ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.95e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.81c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.25e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.31c.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.50d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.80b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.17c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.47c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e14.07\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e14.52\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.8749, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.0926, Year Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;Non-significant\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFresh root weight\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(g)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.26d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.80b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.60b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.53b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.38d.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.78b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.32d.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.57c.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.24b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.03a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.08bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.63b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.13bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.15a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.32b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.71c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.65gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.01e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.45h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.75f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.09g.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.88b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.58c.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.45d.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.31c.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.86b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.20d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.54b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.17e.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.53c.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.47d.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.35d.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.10d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.59be\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.19d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.52b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.73k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.13f.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.97h.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92i.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.11d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.80b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.60b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.66b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.85jk\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.77b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.36d.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.36d.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.48\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.50\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.7933, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.6095, Year Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;Non-significant\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDry root weight\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(g)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.15c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.88b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.37b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.52bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.39c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.84b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.81b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.65b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.19c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.68a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.39b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.37b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.06b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.96a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.80b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.97bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.99c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.52bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.16c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.12c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.16ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.77b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.33d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.57b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.17c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.64bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.40b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.36c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.89b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.43c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.67b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.66f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.99c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.08f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.73b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.35d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.85d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.50b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.32b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.12c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.46b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.76b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.52b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.51b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.29B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.64A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"9\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.6708, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.6178, Year Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1294\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"12\"\u003eMeans sharing the different letters are significantly different from each other\u0026rsquo;s @0.05\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMorphological development attributes\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe applied terminal water stress negatively reduced the plant height as compared to normal water irrigations; however, bio-priming treatment with Zn foliar spray significantly enhanced the chickpea plant height during both years of exploration (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Year interaction was significant and observation of year-II noted higher plant height values as per year-I (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Data revealed that plants treated with bio-priming along with Zn foliar spray produced the maximum number of primary \u0026amp; secondary branches, number of nodules plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, and number of grains plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e followed by treatment hydro-priming with K, Mg foliar application under terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation after normal water irrigation during the year-II as per year-I shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e. Among different foliar applications of synthetic stimulants, Zn application outperformed with the best results in increasing the plant morphological development attributes as compared to K, Mg while the least values observed in control (water) treatment in this regard during both years 2021\u0026ndash;2022, 2022\u0026ndash;2023 presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e. Year\u0026rsquo;s interaction was observed as non-significant in the number of secondary branches during the project study (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of exogenous application of bio-stimulant on the morphological development attributes of chickpea crop under terminal water stress\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"12\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear-I (2021\u0026ndash;2022)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear-II (2022\u0026ndash;2023)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"9\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFoliar spray\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTerminal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewater stress\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003epriming\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eZnSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(0.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKCl\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(200 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMgCl\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(50 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eZnSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(0.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKCl\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(200 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMgCl\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(50 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant height\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(cm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.00gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.40d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.30e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.73e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.66c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.60b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.24e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.14k.n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.70c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.94a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.61e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.00b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.40kl\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71.17a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.33d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.60g.k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.41c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.33b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.95b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.16c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.54m.o\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.93c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.96k.m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.17f.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.94fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.75bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.50c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.23gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.33h.l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.30cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.97e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.69p\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.33j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.70ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.46ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.73ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.16n.p\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.72j.l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.43op\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.09l.o\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.43j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.80hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.80hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.20ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.93i.l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.96c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.33f.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.94c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e43.81B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e51.69A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.2970, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.5211, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.8900\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNo. of Primary\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBranches\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.15d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.72b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.53bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.96b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.21d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.31b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.28d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.38c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.38bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.43a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.36bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.63bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.60c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.96a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.73bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.03b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.10fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.78b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.61c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.11d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.84d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.34d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.28d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.94d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.40fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.69bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.71b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.87b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.25d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.95c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.75c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.65c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.01g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.63b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.60e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.26fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.63ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.46c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.70d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.13d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.05d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.26bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.66b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.16d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.53f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.50c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.60ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.30d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.67\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.55\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.0871, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.3583, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;Non-significant\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNo. of Secondary\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBranches\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.65c.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.08b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.38c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.85c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.92b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.86b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.86f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.50c.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.92b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.07a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.65b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.91b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.86b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.23a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.30bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.90b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.40h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.13b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.43c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.23e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.80d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.26b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.86b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.53gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.70c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.23bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.70c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.66c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.20e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.56bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.30c.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.60bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.76c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.33c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.03c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.20f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.60b.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.73d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.24e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.90h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.23c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.53c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.43d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.90gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.20b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.60b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.73d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.30i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8.35B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8.78A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7515, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3421, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.4172\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNo of Pods\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant\u003c/b\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.43e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.63b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.89c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.10c.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.55e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.60b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.66b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.66bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.39f.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.94a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.34b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.16bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.96b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.79a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.66b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.66bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.64jk\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.17d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.32g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.81ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.71e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.07d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.07e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.74i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.50hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.39b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.25d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.70b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.71f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.07e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.41fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.37g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.45hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.22bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.65b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.48b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.37i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.34g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.34i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.67hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.56k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.67b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.50d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.18g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.67c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.07b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.77c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.04fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e22.35A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e21.08B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5670, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.1047, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.7093\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNo. of\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNodules plant\u003c/b\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.36g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.67b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.63ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.49cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.59j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.62b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.59e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.73h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.31gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.50a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.41f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.40b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.31e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.99a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.42d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.48ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.30i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.50b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.61g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.97d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.62l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.32d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.42i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.63j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.30gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.53b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.43f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.13de\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.15g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.15c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.21i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.24k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.51l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.77g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.66k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.76hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.30k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.21c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.26k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.24m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.45j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.78c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.65i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.74ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.24m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.28fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.24k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.73l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e10.16B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e11.83A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.5740, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2836, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0932\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNo. of\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrains plant\u003c/b\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.35f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.27b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.50c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.07e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.05h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.91b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.38h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.65g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.30d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.17a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.14b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.21c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.93de\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.38a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.70d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.40c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.69i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.36f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.80g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.17h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.23m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.78fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.54jk\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.83kl\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.58h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.55de\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.52g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.54g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.56ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.06ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.86jk\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.33hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.87n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.79kl\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.49kl\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.24m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.89q\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.40n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.23no\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.53p\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.87l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.22i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.27j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.37jk\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.56o\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.73l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.53n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.28n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e44.51B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e45.95A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.9950, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.3312, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2349\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"12\"\u003eMeans sharing the different letters are significantly different from each other\u0026rsquo;s @0.05\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of exogenous application of bio-stimulant on the yield related attributes of chickpea crop under terminal water stress\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"18\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c13\" colnum=\"13\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c14\" colnum=\"14\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c15\" colnum=\"15\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c16\" colnum=\"16\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c17\" colnum=\"17\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c18\" colnum=\"18\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear-I (2021\u0026ndash;2022)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear-II (2022\u0026ndash;2023)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"15\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFoliar spray\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTerminal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewater stress\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003epriming\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eZnSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(0.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKCl\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(200 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMgCl\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(50 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eZnSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(0.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKCl\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(200 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMgCl\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(50 ppm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e100 Grain weight\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(g)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.08d.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.25bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.18cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.21cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.85e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.22bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.59b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.31b.d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.59b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.23a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.78b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.32b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.53b.e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.01a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.16b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.51bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.05g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.53de\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.38de\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.27e.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.02ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.50d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.48h.j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.09j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.92cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.32b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.81d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.31b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.05d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.16bc\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.73c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.07b.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.86hi\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.39d.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.37e.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.54d.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.08ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.13f.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.75g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.41g.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.67i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.10cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.48f.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.74f.i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.80e.g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.38c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.35c.f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.69e.h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e20.89B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e21.70A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.4060, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.3012, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.5770\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrain yield\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(kg ha\u003c/b\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003cb\u003e)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e657.1o\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1383.3h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1359.4h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1151.6j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e881.9n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1590.7e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1420.9h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1138.9k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2152.1c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2961.0a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2245.0b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2155.9c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1456.3g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3163.3a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1756.7d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2254.0b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e775.6n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1269.1i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1065.1k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e838.4m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1052.5l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1763.2d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1348.6j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1549.6f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1377.4h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2041.6d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1750.0f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1653.0g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1379.2i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2249.3b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1361.1ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2045.6c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e548.4p\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1066.4k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e947.7l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e655.4o\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e874.8n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1745.1d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1354.8ij\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1452.7g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e762.5n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1871.4e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1352.5h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e968.5l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e648.1o\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1451.5g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e960.5m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c18\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1041.8l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1375.3B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1497.5A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;37.344, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;30.061, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.7865\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiological yield\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(kg ha\u003c/b\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003cb\u003e)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1738.5p\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3250.8i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2960.0j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3248.7i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2339.2q\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3687.2h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2765.0n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3263.3k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3514.8f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6442.5a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6018.4b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5103.9d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3137.1l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6124.8a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3826.2g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5647.4b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2545.8lm\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3324.5h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2555.8l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2661.2k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2667.6o\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4548.8d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3721.6h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3234.0k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3447.0g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4658.3e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3454.4g\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3256.5i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3267.1k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4866.2c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3340.5j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4431.3e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2645.7k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5462.7c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3355.2h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2970.0j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1845.6s\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3422.8i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3053.3m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3041.5m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2032.4o\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2943.8j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2510.4m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2162.4n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2065.4r\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4161.0f\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2474.5p\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3133.6l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3096.2B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3834.2A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;42.217, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;46.100, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.8670\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHarvest index\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eirrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.81j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.55gh\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.92e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.45k\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.23b\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.96e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.30j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.24h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.46l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.18j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.68h\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.50l\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.96i\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.83fg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.66d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.76d\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.73no\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.52o\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.25m\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.06n\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.53j\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.57a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.88c\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.79ef\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e40.24B\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e42.40A\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\[email protected]\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear-I\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.4419, Year-II\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;Non-significant, Interaction\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2740\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c18\" namest=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"18\"\u003eMeans sharing the different letters are significantly different from each other\u0026rsquo;s @0.05\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eYield and yield-related attributes\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eObservations depicted that the applied treatment bio-priming with Zn spray significantly increased 100-grain weight during the normal water irrigation condition followed by terminal water stress at pod formation and flowering than others applied treatments (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). During both years of experiments, terminal water stress reduced the grain yield; however, the treatment bio-priming compensated the grain yield with the effective combination of Zn foliar spray than K, Mg under terminal water stress at pod formation followed by flowering condition after normal water irrigation. The Chickpea plant's grain yield achieved better during 2021\u0026ndash;2022 than in 2022\u0026ndash;2023 of the trials (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). It was noted that biological yield improved significantly under the induced terminal water stress at pod formation after bio-priming with Zn spray treatment during the second year than the first year of the trials (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). The performance of treatment applied hydro-priming with foliar spray of stimulants Zn, K, and Mg resulted lowest biological yield (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). The Harvest index was non-significant, but the values of the harvest index in year-II was observed better than year-I during the trial exploration (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLeaf anti-oxidant defense status\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this study, the interactive effect of stimulant application via seed priming, along with foliar spray under terminal water stress on the leaf anti-oxidant contents of chickpea were observed significantly. During the 1st year of the experiment, bio-priming with Zn spray ensured the maximum production of total soluble proteins (TSP) under applied terminal water stress at pod formation followed by the flowering stage while minimum TSP values observed by hydro-priming with foliar spray of K, Mg as compared to 2nd year shown in the Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. Plants produced a higher concentration of enzymatic anti-oxidants i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) after the treatment applied bio-priming with Zn spray under terminal water stress as compared to normal water irrigations. The year\u0026rsquo;s interaction was observed significantly in SOD, POD \u0026amp; CAT production during the 2nd year than in the 1st year (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Terminal water stress hampered the release of SOD, POD, and CAT, but treatment applied plants with bio-priming plus Zn spray triggered to improve its production as per other hydro-priming treatments with K, Mg spray during the year 2021\u0026ndash;2022, 2022\u0026ndash;2023 presented in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. A similar trend was noted in the plants having treatment of bio-priming with Zn spray produced higher non-enzymatic anti-oxidants i.e. ascorbic acid (AsA) and total phenolic contents (TPC) and lowest by hydro-priming with K, Mg spray under the induced terminal water stress at pod formation and at flowering stage than normal water irrigations in both years of experimental field trials shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eGrain\u0026rsquo;s nutrient profile\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe interactive effect of exogenous application via seed priming with synthetic stimulants was significant for obtaining the biofortified chickpea grains having nutrient profiles such as Zinc-Zn), Iron-Fe, Magnesium-Mg, and Potassium-K under terminal water stress during 2021\u0026ndash;2022 and 2022\u0026ndash;2023 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Terminal water stress abridged the availability of nutrients, while bio-priming with Zn spray treatments stimulated in enhancement of the maximum uptake Zn than Mg and K contents (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Year-II presented a significantly higher Fe concentration after bio-priming treatment along with Zn foliar spray as compared to hydro-priming than year-I (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Data described the positive relation of applied foliar spray of Zn in improving the maximum Mg contents than foliar spray with Fe, Mg, and Cl during the first year after the second year of the experiments (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). K contents in chickpea grains were increased after bio-priming with Zn foliar treatment as compared to hydro-priming treatment with other synthetic stimulants Mg, K under terminal water stress at pod formation and at flowering conditions during 2021\u0026ndash;2022 and 2022\u0026ndash;2023 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBiplot analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, biplot analysis for principal component analysis was accomplished to check the interaction between the applied treatments of seed priming with synthetic stimulants foliar spray under terminal water stress against chickpea morphological growth, development, yield, anti-oxidants, and nutrient profile parameters. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e illustrates the similar trend of applied bio-priming treatment with Zn foliar spray obtained a positive correlation relationship of increasing values among the observed attributes under the induced terminal water stress conditions as compared to other treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBenefit-cost ratio\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe economic analysis illustrated that bio-priming with Zn foliar spray achieved a comparatively greater time of benefit-cost ratio than other applied treatments under normal water irrigation followed by terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAverage years of economic analysis {Year-I (2021\u0026ndash;2022), Year-II (2022\u0026ndash;2023)}\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTerminal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewater stress\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003epriming\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFoliar\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003espray\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal expenditure\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGross income\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNet income\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBenefit cost\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eratio\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"7\" rowspan=\"8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNormal\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ewater irrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eControl\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e244.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e485.77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e240.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eZnSO4 (0.3%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e239.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e698.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e459.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKCl (200 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e234.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e448.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e213.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMgCl2 (50 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e708.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e457.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eControl\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e241.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e560.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e318.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eZnSO4 (0.3%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e239.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e987.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e747.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKCl (200 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e261.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e689.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e428.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMgCl2 (50 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e284.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1131.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e846.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"7\" rowspan=\"8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Flowering)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eControl\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e235.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e538.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e302.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eZnSO4 (0.3%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e241.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e928.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e687.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKCl (200 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e244.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e790.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e546.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMgCl2 (50 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e561.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e311.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eControl\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e241.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e629.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e387.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eZnSO4 (0.3%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e255.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e872.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e616.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKCl (200 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e659.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e409.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMgCl2 (50 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e261.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e795.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e534.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"7\" rowspan=\"8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerminal water stress\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(Pod formation)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydro-priming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eControl\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e235.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e323.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.624\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eZnSO4 (0.3%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e244.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e559.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e314.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKCl (200 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e261.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e566.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e305.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMgCl2 (50 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e255.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e529.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e273.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiopriming\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eControl\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e235.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e472.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e236.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eZnSO4 (0.3%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e241.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e903.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e661.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKCl (200 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e244.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e504.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e259.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMgCl2 (50 ppm)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e697.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e446.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eSudden climatic change and its intensity have become a serious threat to the agricultural sector under adverse environmental stresses especially drought stress all over the world (Braun et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Drought stress diminished the plant emergence, poor crop stand establishment, and curtailed grains production might be due to the abridged performance in terms of morphological growth parameters, development aspects, yield-related attributes, disproportion of anti-oxidant to ROS production, and reduction in the nutrient\u0026rsquo;s uptake (Nawaz et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). In this project study, chickpea grains production is the result of mutual share of various morphological growth and yield-related attributes like shoot length, root length, plant height, no. of primary branches, no. of secondary branches, no of pods plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e. no. of nodules plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, no. of grains plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, 100-grain weight were developed during the crop growing duration (de Valenca et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). The applied terminal water restricted the chickpea crop developments may be the reason for interrupting the water flow from the xylem to the elongation cells along with the availability of improper moisture disrupted the metabolism-related procedures by inhibiting the cell elongation, ceasing cell expansion and hampering mitosis during the cell division (Benjamin and Nielsen \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). Terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation resulted in the highest sensitivity to terminal water stress might be the reason for the substantial cut in plant height, pod formations, nodules developments, grain weight, and development during both years (2021\u0026ndash;2022 and 2022\u0026ndash;2023) of the experimental trials (Engelbrecht et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). The findings of the research highlighted that delay in the post-anthesis especially in the grain formation stage of chickpeas due to the reduction of photosynthetic rate, augmented leaf senescence, and limitation in source-sink relationships might be the reason for the development of the number of grains and size during the terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation (Madani et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). The reduction trend in the harvest index (HI) under terminal water stress could be due to the ineffective partitioning of photo-assimilates at the reproductive grain\u0026rsquo;s development conditions (Saini et al. 2000). Results revealed the decline in biological and grain yield might be due to the ineffectual link between the source-sink relationship, inefficacious accumulation of assimilates, lesser dry matter production, and disruption in turgor pressure during the physiological and biochemical processes under the applied terminal water stress at reproductive stages of chickpea (Fereres and Soriano \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe treatment applied biopriming with Zn spray behaved differently for morphological growth, development, and yield-related attributes might be due to improving trend in anti-oxidant defense behavior against terminal water stress at reproductive stages of chickpea during both years of exploration (Kumar and Abbo \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e). Studies have shown that there is an imbalance in the level of homeostasis between anti-oxidant defense behavior and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants under water stress, but the treatments using biopriming with Zn spray caused tolerance by obtaining the production of potentially anti-oxidants might be the reason to reduce the effect of oxidative stress in chickpeas plants (Blokhina et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e). Plants with biopriming with Zn spray treatment stimulated the generation of enzymatic activities {total soluble proteins (TSP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT)} and non-enzymatic activities {ascorbic acid (AsA) and total phenolic contents (TPC)} may be acting as an anti-oxidant protective agents system against H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eH, \u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e under the induced terminal water stress at reproductive flowering and pod formation stages of chickpea during both years-I \u0026amp; year-II of trials (Bektaşoğlu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). Observations illustrated the supremacy of biopriming with Zn spray in chickpea plants resulted in better drought tolerance under terminal water stress might be the reason for the deleterious effects of cellular oxidative stress due to the elimination of ROS activity (Foyer and Noctor \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). Biopriming with Zn spray motivated the treated plants to boost up the maximum anti-oxidant contents against ROS might be the reason for facilitating photosynthetic activities at the cellular level under terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation during both years of experimental trials (Gunes et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe use of a biofortification approach via biopriming with Zn spray enhanced the absorption of essential nutrients uptake (Zn, Fe, Mg, K) in the plants for obtaining the biofortified grains production may be the reason for having the positive interaction for facilitating the effective translocation of nutrients absorption through shoots to grains in the chickpea plants (Fageria et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002\u003c/span\u003e). The application of biopriming with Zn spray on chickpea plants can improve the absorption of nutrients (Zn, Fe, Mg, K), which have been effectively transferred from the shoots to the grains (Imran and Rehim \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). The research project aims to establish an efficient method of biopriming with Zn spray for achieving the biofortified nutrients (Zn, Fe, Mg, K) rich grains production might be the reason for the effectiveness of the chickpea crops' nutritional values (Gupta et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Data revealed that terminal water stress disrupted the uptake of observed Zn, Fe, Mg, and K nutrient contents under hydro-priming with control (without spray) but the chickpea plants after treatment of biopriming with Zn spray activated the maximum absorption of Zn, Fe, Mg, K uptake and obtained the biofortified nutrients rich grains might be the reason due to better-restoring translocation processing during the grain development phases (Ghasemi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). The combined use of biopriming with Zn spray may have a potential for an organic approach to sustain agricultural products by ensuring nutrient absorption in terms of mitigating irreversible losses during chickpea grains production (Gunes et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). Biopriming treatment via MLE\u003csub\u003e30\u003c/sub\u003e agents along with Zn spray stimulated the essential role in promoting the nutrient uptake of Zn, Fe, Mg, and K resulting in biofortified grains of chickpea might be the reason for performing better plant physiological, morphological, and metabolic activities during the terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation stage (Rehman et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn addition, biopriming can ameliorate the morphological growth, development, and yield-related attributes could be the reason acted as a catalyst for increasing the germination potential by triggering the imbibition phase for rapid breakdown of seed dormancy, improving the seed viability, and enhancing the tolerance against drought against lead to the healthy chickpea grain production (Rajala et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). The synergetic use of biopriming with Zn spray improved the biological and grain productivity might be the reason for activating the maximum pollen production during the anthesis stages followed by better transporting the enzymes and proteins to synthesize the grain tissues into grain\u0026rsquo;s formation during the terminal water at flowering and pod formation stages of chickpea crop. Biopriming treated plants (Dimkpa and Bindraban \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Biplot and heatmap analysis proved the significant and positive interaction among the attributes after biopriming with Zn spray treatment might be the reason for synchronized transportation of essential nutrients (Zn, Fe, Mg, K) uptake from roots to shoots to grains during the vegetative to reproductive growth stages of chickpea under applied terminal water stress (Xue et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis project study resulted in innovation based on cost-effectiveness, easily adaptable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly for farmers as well as the scientific community in field conditions (Wasaya et al. 2017). The applied biopriming with Zn spray demonstrated the best feedback of greater net income as well as benefit-cost ratio may be the reason due to a commercially successful, financially rewarding, and applicable technique for cultivation of chickpea crop under the induced normal water irrigations followed by terminal water stress at flowering and pod formation stages during both years of trials (2021\u0026ndash;2022) and (2022\u0026ndash;2023) (Nawaz et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eFindings of the 2 years of project studies concluded that the application of moringa biopriming with Zn spray was the best option for achieving the nutrients biofortified chickpea grains by improving yield-related attributes along with potential antioxidant defense system during the terminal water stress applied at reproductive stages. Therefore, moringa biopriming with Zn spray may be recommended as an alternative agronomic biofortification approach for chickpea crop production under unfavorable conditions related to water stress and soil nutrient deficiency.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contribution\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH Nawaz: Supervision, Writing\u0026ndash;original draft\u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing. MM Yousaf: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation. N Hussain: Conceptualization, Validation. MZ Ihsan: Writing\u0026ndash;review \u0026amp; editing. MS Alwahibi, MS Elshikh, R Iqbal: Funding acquisition.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData availability statement\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknolwedgement\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors extend their appreciation to the Researchers supporting project number (RSP2024R173), King Saud University, Riyadh,\u0026nbsp;Saudi\u0026nbsp;Arabia. The authors also gratefully acknowledge technical support provided by Cholistan Insitute of Desert Studies, Faculty of Agriculture \u0026amp; Envrionment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur for sharing laboratory facilities for research biochemical analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of interest\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH Nawaz, MM Yousaf, N Hussain, MZ Ihsan, MS Alwahibi, MS Elshikh, and R Iqbal declare that they have no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAinsworth EA, Gillespie KM (2007) Estimation of total phenolic content and other oxidation substrates plant in tissues using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Nat Protoc 2:875\u0026ndash;877. https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2007.102 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBektaşoğlu B, Celik SE, Ozy\u0026uuml;rek M, G\u0026uuml;\u0026ccedil;l\u0026uuml; K, Apak R (2006) Novel hydroxyl radical scavenging antioxidant activity assay for water-soluble antioxidants using a modified CUPRAC method. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 345:1194\u0026ndash;2000. https://doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.05.038 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBenjamin JG, Nielsen DC (2006) Water deficit effects on root distribution of soybean, field pea and chickpea. Field Crops Res 97:248\u0026ndash;253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2005.10.005 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBhatt R, Hossain A, Sharma P (2020) Zinc biofortification as an innovative technology to alleviate the zinc deficiency in human health: a review. Open Agric 5:176\u0026ndash;187. https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2020-0018 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlokhina O, Virolainen E, Fagerstedt KV (2003) Antioxidants, oxidative damage and oxygen deprivation stress: a review. Ann Bot 91:179\u0026ndash;194. https://doi:10.1093/aob/mcf118 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBradford M (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal Biochem 72:248\u0026ndash;254. https://doi.org/10.1006/abio.1976.9999 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBraun HJ, Atlin G, Payne T (2010) Multi-location testing as a tool to identify plant response to global climate change. In: M. P. Reynolds, ed. Climate Change and Crop Production, pp. 115\u0026ndash;138. CABI Climate Change Series, Wallingford, UK. https://doi:10.1079/9781845936334.0115 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCakmak I (2005) The role of potassium in alleviating detrimental effects of abiotic stresses in plants. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 168:521\u0026ndash;530. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.200420485 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCakmak, I. 2013. Magnesium in crop production, food quality and human health. Plant Soil 368:1\u0026ndash;4. https://www.jstor.org/stable/i40113730 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChance M, Maehly AC (1954) The assay of catalases and peroxidases. Methods Biochem Anal 1:357\u0026ndash;424. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470110171.ch14 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ede Valenca AW, Bake A, Brouwer ID, Giller KE (2017) Agronomic biofortification of crops to fight hidden hunger in sub-Saharan Africa. Glob Food Secur 12:8\u0026ndash;14. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GFS.2016.12.001\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDewey DR, Lu KH (1959) A correlation and path coefficient analysis of components of crested wheat grass and seed production. J Agron 51:515\u0026ndash;518. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1959.00021962005100090002x \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimkpa CO, Bindraban PS (2016) Fortification of micronutrients for efficient agronomic production: a review. Agron Sustain Dev 36:7. https://doi:10.1007/s13593-015-0346-6 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngelbrecht BMJ, Comita LS, Condit R, Kursar TA, Tyree MT, Turner BL, Hubbell SP (2007) Drought sensitivity shapes species distribution patterns in tropical forests. Nature 447:80\u0026ndash;82. https://doi:10.1038/nature05747 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFageria NK, Baligar VC, Clark RB (2002) Micronutrients in crop production. Adv Agron 77:185\u0026ndash;67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(02)77015-6 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFarooq M, Wahid A, Kobayashi N, Fujita D, Basra SMA (2009) Plant drought stress: Efects, mechanisms, and management. Agron Sustain Dev 29:185\u0026ndash;212. https://doi.org/10.1051/agro:2008021\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFereres E, Soriano MA (2007) Deficit irrigation for reducing agricultural water use. J Exp Bot 58:147\u0026ndash;159. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erl165 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFoyer CH, Noctor G (2005) Redox homeostasis and antioxidant signaling: A metabolic interface between stress perception and physiological responses. Plant Cell 17:1866\u0026ndash;1875. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.105.033589 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGhasemi S, Khoshgoftarmanesh AH, Afyuni M, Hadadzadeh H (2013) The effectiveness of foliar applications of synthesized zinc-amino acid chelates in comparison with zinc sulfate to increase yield and grain nutritional quality of wheat. Eur J Agron 45:68\u0026ndash;74. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.eja.2012.10.012 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGiannopolitis CN, Reis SK (1997) Superoxide dismutase I. Occurrence in higher plants. Plant Physiol 59:309\u0026ndash;314. https://doi.10.1104/pp.59.2.309 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGunes A, Cicek N, Inal A, Alpaslan M, Eraslan F, Guneri E, Guzelordu T (2006) Genotypic response of chickpea (\u003cem\u003eCicer arietinum\u003c/em\u003e L.) cultivars to drought stress implemented at pre- and post-anthesis stages and its relations with nutrient uptake and efficiency. Plant Soil Environ 52:368\u0026ndash;376. http://doi:10.17221/3454-PSE\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGupta N, Ram H, Kumar B (2016) Mechanism of zinc absorption in plants: uptake, transport, translocation and accumulation. Rev Environ Sci Bio 15:89\u0026ndash;109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-016-9390-1 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGupta S, Brazier AKM, Lowe NM (2020) Zinc deficiency in low- and middle-income countries: prevalence and approaches for mitigation. J Hum Nutr Diet 33:624\u0026ndash;643. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12791 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImran M, Rehim A (2017) Zinc fertilization approaches for agronomic biofortification and estimated human bioavailability of zinc in maize grain. Arch Agron Soil Sci 63:106\u0026ndash;116. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2016.1185660 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKhan AM, Hussain S, Rengel Z, Shah MAA (2018) Zinc bioavailability and nitrogen concentration in grains of wheat crop sprayed with zinc sulfate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, and urea. J Plant Nutr 41:1926\u0026ndash;1936. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2018.1484472 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKopittke PM, Lombi E, Wang P, Schjoerring JK, Husted S (2019) Nanomaterials as Fertilizers for Improving Plant Mineral Nutrition and Environmental Outcomes. Environ Sci Nano 6:3513\u0026ndash;3524. https://doi:10.1039/C9EN00971J \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKrebs NF, Miller LV, Hambridge KM (2014) Zinc deficiency in infants and children: a review of its complex and synergistic interactions. J Paediatr Child Health 34:279\u0026ndash;288. https://doi.org/10.1179/2046905514Y.0000000151\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKumar J, Abbo S (2001) Genetics of flowering time in chickpea and its bearing on productivity in the semi-arid environments. Adv Agron 72:107\u0026ndash;138. http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/5696 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMadani A, Rad AS, Pazoki A, Nourmohammadi G, Zarghami R (2010) Wheat (\u003cem\u003eTriticum aestivum\u003c/em\u003e L.) grain filling and dry matter partitioning responses to source: sink modifications under post anthesis water and nitrogen deficiency. Acta Sci Agron 32:145\u0026ndash;151. https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v32i1.6273\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMao H, Wang J, Wang Z, Zan Y, Lyons G, Zou C (2014) Using agronomic biofortification to boost zinc, selenium, and iodine concentrations of food crops grown on the loess plateau in China. J Soil Sci Plant Nut 14:459\u0026ndash;470. https://DOI:10.4067/S0718-95162014005000036 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNawaz H, Rehman H, Yousef MM, Ali L, Hussain N, Abdullah M, Iqbal R, Alharb SA, Ansari MJ, Kriaučiūnienė Z, Ayaz M (2024) Zinc-priming via moringa leaf extract (MLE30) achieved Zn biofortified wheat grains and drought tolerance by efficient anti-oxidant status. Plant Stress 12:1\u0026ndash;13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2024.100501\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNawaz H, Nazim H, Niaz A, Haseeb R, Javiz A (2021) Efficiency of seed bio-priming technique for healthy mungbean productivity under terminal drought stress. J Integr Agric 20:2\u0026ndash;14. https://doi:10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63184-7 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNawaz H, Rehman Hu, Ihsan MZ et al (2024) Organic seed priming with curtailed seed rate compensated wheat grains productivity by upgrading anti-oxidant status against terminal drought at flowering and milking. Sci Rep 14:4941. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54767-6 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNawaz H, Yasmeen A, Anjum MA, Hussain N (2016) Exogenous application of growth enhancers mitigate water stress in wheat by antioxidant elevation. Front Plant Sci 7:1\u0026ndash;11. https://doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.00597 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePal V, Singh G, Dhaliwal SS (2019) Agronomic biofortification of chickpea with zinc and iron through application of zinc and urea. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 50:1864\u0026ndash;1877. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2019.1648490 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePathak GC, Gupta B, Pandey N (2012) Improving reproductive efficiency of chickpea by foliar application of zinc. Braz J Plant Physiol 24:173\u0026ndash;180. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-04202012000300004 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRajala A, Niskanen M, Isolahti M, Peltonen-Sainio P (2011) Seed quality effects on seedling emergence, plant stand establishment and grain yield in two-row barley. Agr Food Sci 20:228\u0026ndash;234. https://doi.org/10.2137/145960611797471516\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRehman A, Farooq M, Ullah A, Nadeem F, Im SY, Park SK, Lee D-J (2020) Agronomic Biofortification of Zinc in Pakistan: Status, Benefits, and Constraints. Front sustain food syst 4:591722. http://doi:10.3389/fsufs.2020.591722\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaini HS, Westgate ME (2000) Reproductive development in grain crops during drought. Adv Agron 68:59\u0026ndash;96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(08)60843-3 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSinha R, Irulappan V, Mohan-raju B, Suganthi A, Senthil-Kumar M (2019) Impact of drought stress on simultaneously occurring pathogen infection in field-grown chickpea. Sci Rep 9:5577. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-41463-z \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSteel RGD, Torrie JH, Dicky DA (1997) Principles and Procedures of Statistics, A Biometrical Approach 3\u003csup\u003erd\u003c/sup\u003e edn, 352\u0026ndash;358 (McGraw Hill Inc)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTeklu D, Gashu D, Joy EJ, Lark R, Bailey EH, Wilson L, Amede T, Broadley MR (2023) Genotypic response of finger millet to zinc and iron agronomic biofortification, location and slope position towards yield. Agronomy 13:1452 https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061452\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUllah A, Farooq M, Rehman A, Hussain M, Siddique KHM (2020) Zinc nutrition in chickpea (\u003cem\u003eCicer arietinum\u003c/em\u003e): a review. Crop Pasture Sci 71:199\u0026ndash;218. https://doi:10.1071/CP19357 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWang S, Li M, Liu K, Tian X, Li S, Chen Y, Jia Z (2017) Effects of Zn, macronutrients, and their interactions through foliar applications on winter wheat grain nutritional quality. PLoS One 12:1\u0026ndash;15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181276 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWasaya Allah, Shabir MS, Hussain M, Ansar M, Aziz A, Hassan W, Ahmad Ijaz (2017) Foliar application of zinc and boron improved the productivity and net returns of maize grown under rainfed conditions of Pothwar plateau. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 17:33\u0026ndash;45. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-95162017005000003 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaterhouse AL (2001) Determination of total phenolics. In Current Protocols in Food Analytical Chemistry (ed. Wrolstad, R. E.) (John Wiley and Sons). https://doi.org/10.1002/0471142913.fai0101s06 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eXue YF, Li XJ, Yan W, Miao Q, Zhang CY, Huang M, Sun JB, Qi SJ, Ding ZH, Cui ZL (2023) Biofortification of different maize cultivars with zinc, iron and selenium by foliar fertilizer applications. Front Plant Sci 14:1144514. https://doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1144514 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYasmeen A et al (2013) Exogenous application of moringa leaf extract modulates the antioxidant enzyme system to improve wheat performance under saline conditions. Plant Growth Regul 69:225\u0026ndash;233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-012-9764-5 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Chickpea, anti-oxidants, biopriming, biofortified grains, BCR, MLE30, rain-fed","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5058772/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5058772/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eA restricted food supply with limited alternatives often leads to essential nutrient deficiency in masses of Africa and Asia. This issue is exceedingly prevalent in pregnant women and infants due to low dietary Zn intake in daily meals. The Zn absorbance in pulses grain may be enhanced through bio-priming with moringa leaf extract (MLE\u003csub\u003e30\u003c/sub\u003e) under water deficit conditions. To investigate the performance of bio-stimulants with foliar spray of synthetic nutrients, a field trial was carried out at Arid Zone Research Institute, Bahawalpur, Pakistan for two consecutive years (2021\u0026ndash;2022, 2022\u0026ndash;2023). An approximate decrease of 55\u0026ndash;64% in chickpea grain yield was noticed under terminal drought stress applied at pod formation as compared to control however; the application of biopriming with Zn spray mitigated the negative effects on grain yield (only 13% decrease in grain yield). This improvement was supported by the significant increase in dry shoot weight (55%) and root weight (51%), no of nodules per plant (20%), no of grains per plant (15%), harvest index (225%) for the first year, plant height (26%) and no of pods per plant (45%), for the second year. Similarly, the overproduction of antioxidants especially catalase (98%), ascorbic peroxidase (87%), and total phenolic content (104%) under bio-primed with Zn spray treatment helped the plants to withstand the negative effects of terminal drought stress. The mineral contents (Zn, Fe \u0026amp; K) were decreased under terminal drought stress nonetheless; the biopriming with Zn spray prominently improved its bioavailability for obtaining the nutrient-rich biofortified grains production. The economic analysis reported a significantly higher benefit-cost ratio (2.74) for bio-primed with Zn spray treatments as compared to hydro-primed treatments under both terminal drought stress and normal water irrigation conditions. The application of moringa extract as a low-cost and effective biopriming agent along with the addition of Zn spray is recommended for the profitable cultivation of chickpea crops under terminal drought stress, which limits its cultivation and productivity, especially in rain-fed arid areas of world.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Moringa Bio-Priming with Zn Spray Improved Nutrients Rich Biofortified Chickpea Grains and Drought Tolerance at Reproductive Stages under Arid Environment","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-11-18 09:42:29","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5058772/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"a6faa00d-c470-445b-b206-1c027d80b135","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 18th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-11-18T09:42:30+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-11-18 09:42:29","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5058772","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5058772","identity":"rs-5058772","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}