Impact of hormonal priming on crop growth, yield and seed quality in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. PKM 1

Impact of hormonal priming on crop growth, yield and seed quality in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. 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PKM 1 Periyasamy Satheeshkumar, Pazhanivel Veeravanchi, Balraj Ramya, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7693556/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 The present study evaluated the effect of hormonal seed priming on germination, growth, yield and seed quality of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. PKM 1 under laboratory and field conditions. Eight treatments were tested, including control (unprimed seeds), naphthalene acetic acid (45 ppm), indole-3-acetic acid (100 ppm), gibberellic acid (GA₃, 40 ppm), chlormequat chloride (250 ppm), ascorbic acid (150 ppm), salicylic acid (50 ppm), and 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (20 ppm), arranged in CRD (lab) and RBD (field) designs with three replications. Seeds were primed for 24 h, shade-dried, and evaluated for germination percentage, vigour indices, seedling growth, field emergence, crop growth parameters, yield attributes, and post-harvest seed quality. GA₃ @ 40 ppm (T₃) consistently outperformed other treatments, recording the highest germination (86%), seedling length (18.45 cm), vigour index-I (1590), plant height at 90 DAT (103.34 cm), number of fruits per plant (27), single fruit weight (49.43 g), fruit yield (1242.43 g plant⁻¹), and seed yield (16.56 g plant⁻¹). Salicylic acid @ 50 ppm (T₆) and NAA @ 45 ppm (T₁) also improved several growth and reproductive traits compared to the control. Enhanced seed quality of the resultant produce from GA₃-primed plants included higher germination (86%), seedling vigour, and 1000-seed weight (3.25 g). The findings confirm that hormonal priming, particularly with GA₃, is an effective, low-cost strategy to improve seedling establishment, maximize yield, and enhance seed quality in tomato cv. PKM 1, offering potential for wider adoption in sustainable horticulture. Tomato PKM 1 hormonal priming gibberellic acid seed quality yield enhancement Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Introduction Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops worldwide, grown in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates for its culinary versatility and nutritional richness. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, lycopene, and other bioactive compounds that contribute to human health [ 1 ]. In India, tomato holds a significant share in vegetable production and is cultivated both in open fields and under protected conditions. Among the popular varieties, PKM 1 is known for its adaptability, good fruit set, and desirable fruit quality, making it suitable for fresh market consumption and processing (TNAU, 2021). However, tomato productivity is often constrained by poor seedling establishment, erratic germination, environmental stresses, and suboptimal seed quality. Seed priming has emerged as a cost-effective and eco-friendly pre-sowing technique to enhance seed performance and crop establishment [ 2 – 4 ]. The process involves controlled hydration of seeds to activate early metabolic processes without radicle protrusion, followed by drying to the original moisture content [ 5 , 6 ]. Among various priming methods, hormonal priming using phytohormones such as gibberellic acid (GA₃), salicylic acid (SA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), cytokinins, and jasmonic acid has attracted considerable attention for improving germination rate, seedling vigor, yield attributes, and stress tolerance in horticultural crops [ 7 , 8 ]. Phytohormones regulate numerous physiological and biochemical processes in plants, including seed dormancy breaking, cell division, elongation, nutrient mobilization, and stress signaling pathways [ 9 ]. Hormonal priming can modify endogenous hormonal balance for example, decreasing the abscisic acid (ABA) to GA₃ ratio thereby accelerating germination and enhancing uniform seedling emergence [ 10 ]. It can also stimulate antioxidant defense systems by increasing the activity of enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase, which protect cells from oxidative damage under stress conditions [ 7 ]. In tomato, studies have reported that GA₃ priming improves germination percentage, root and shoot length, and dry matter accumulation, leading to better early growth and higher fruit yield [ 11 ]. Similarly, SA priming has been shown to enhance photosynthetic efficiency, flowering, and fruit set, while mitigating the effects of abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought [ 12 ]. Such improvements ultimately contribute to better fruit yield and seed quality parameters, including higher 1000-seed weight, germination rate, and vigor index. The cultivar PKM 1, developed for tropical conditions, offers an excellent model to investigate the physiological and agronomic impacts of hormonal priming. Despite the demonstrated benefits of priming in other tomato cultivars, systematic research focusing on PKM 1 is limited. Moreover, the interaction between specific hormones, their concentrations, and their effects on growth, yield, and seed quality under field conditions in this variety remains underexplored. Understanding these responses could contribute to optimizing seed enhancement protocols and improving production efficiency. Given the increasing need for sustainable intensification of horticultural systems, hormonal priming offers a practical approach to improve seedling establishment, enhance crop performance, and ensure high-quality seed production. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the impact of different hormonal priming treatments on crop growth, yield components, and seed quality traits of tomato ( S. lycopersicum L.) cv. PKM 1 under local agro-climatic conditions. Materials and Methods Experimental site and period The present investigation entitled “Impact of hormonal priming on crop growth, yield and seed quality in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. PKM 1” comprised both laboratory and field experiments. Laboratory trials were conducted at the Seed Science and Technology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, during December 2022. Field experiments were carried out at Umayalpuram village, Attur, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, from June 2023 to October 2023. Experimental design and treatments The laboratory experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with eight treatments and three replications. The field experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with the same eight treatments and three replications. Genetically and physically pure seeds of tomato cv. PKM 1 were procured from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, and Tamil Nadu. Hormonal priming agents were sourced from certified agri-clinics. The treatments were as follows T₀ – Control (Unprimed seeds), T₁ – Naphthalene acetic acid @ 45 ppm, T₂ – Indole-3-acetic acid @ 100 ppm, T₃ – Gibberellic acid @ 40 ppm, T₄ – Chlormequat chloride @ 250 ppm, T₅ – Ascorbic acid @ 150 ppm, T₆ – Salicylic acid @ 50 ppm, and T₇ – 4-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid @ 20 ppm Seed priming procedure The required concentrations of hormonal solutions were prepared by dissolving the calculated quantity of each chemical in distilled water. For example, 1 ppm was prepared by dissolving 1 mg of solute in 1 L of distilled water. Seeds were soaked in the respective solutions at a seed-to-solution ratio of 1:⅓ (w/v) for 24 hours. Following soaking, seeds were rinsed with distilled water, shade-dried to their original moisture content, and stored until use. Unprimed seeds served as the control. Field management Tomato seeds from each treatment were sown in nursery beds and transplanted into the main field following the recommended package of practices for tomato cultivation. Standard crop management measures, including irrigation, fertilization, weeding, and pest control, were applied uniformly to all plots. Data collection and observations Laboratory parameters Germination percentage, mean germination time, seedling length, seedling vigour index I and II, and dry matter production were recorded following the protocols of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA, 2020). Field parameters Data on crop growth (plant height, number of branches, leaf area index), phenology (days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest), yield attributes (number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight), and total yield (t ha⁻¹) were recorded. Post-harvest seed quality parameters including seed germination, seedling vigour indices, and 1000 seed weight were evaluated according to ISTA (2020) guidelines. Statistical analysis Data obtained from both laboratory and field experiments were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) appropriate for the respective experimental designs as described [ 13 ]. Treatment means were compared using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a 5% probability level. All statistical computations were performed using SPSS v.26.0 software. Results Effect of hormonal Priming on germination and seedling vigour (Laboratory study) significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed among the hormonal priming treatments for germination percentage, mean germination time, and seedling vigour index. Among the treatments, gibberellic acid @ 40 ppm (T₃) recorded the highest germination percentage (XX%), followed by indole-3-acetic acid @ 100 ppm (T₂) and naphthalene acetic acid @ 45 ppm (T₁). The lowest germination percentage was noted in the control (T₀). Mean germination time was shortest in T₃, indicating enhanced metabolic activation during germination. Seedling vigour index values followed a similar trend (Table 1 and Fig. 1 ). Table 1 Effect of hormonal priming on speed of early stage of initial seed quality in tomato cv. PKM 1 Treatments Speed of germination Germination (%) Root length (cm) Shoot length (cm) Seedling length (cm) Seedling fresh weight (g/10 seedlings) Seedling dry weight (g/10 seedlings) Vigour index -I Vigour index -II T 0 14.58 70 (56.79) 4.65 6.63 11.29 0.055 0.022 962 1.55 T 1 18.54 80 (63.18) 7.00 9.73 16.73 0.124 0.045 1491 2.99 T 2 17.98 76 (60.89) 6.58 8.60 15.18 0.120 0.055 1334 2.45 T 3 19.34 82 (64.91) 7.47 10.30 17.77 0.136 0.052 1579 3.36 T 4 16.31 70 (57.00) 5.63 6.39 12.03 0.066 0.026 1150 1.88 T 5 17.25 75 (60.22) 6.43 8.30 15.73 0.101 0.036 1302 2.65 T 6 18.42 77 (61.34) 6.80 8.93 14.07 0.071 0.041 1417 2.74 T 7 16.44 75 (59.78) 6.10 7.97 14.69 0.097 0.032 1208 2.37 Mean 17.360 76 (60.52) 6.33 8.35 14.69 0.097 0.038 1305 2.50 S.Ed. 0.5873 1.105 (0.77) 0.124 0.166 0.290 0.012 0.0086 25.780 0.232 CD(P = 0.05) 1.245 2.343 (1.64) 0.267 0.356 0.623 0.025 0.0185 55.299 0.492 Effect of hormonal priming on crop growth parameters (Field Study) Plant height, number of branches per plant, and leaf area index showed significant improvement in hormonally primed seeds compared to the unprimed control. Maximum plant height at 90 days after transplanting (DAT) was recorded in T₃, followed closely by T₂ and T₁. Similarly, the highest number of primary branches per plant was observed in T₃, while the lowest was in T₀. Leaf area index values increased steadily up to flowering, with T₃ outperforming all other treatments (Table 2 and Fig. 2 ). Table 2 Effect of hormonal priming on growth stages at 30 DAT, 60 DAT and 90 DAT in tomato cv. PKM 1 Treatments Field emergence (%) Plant height Number of leaves per plant Number of branches per plant 30 DAT 60 DAT 90 DAT 30 DAT 60 DAT 90 DAT 30 DAT 60 DAT 90 DAT T 0 74 47.15 77.12 89.17 38 59 66 2.11 3.45 4.56 T 1 84 56.70 86.89 100.72 55 82 89 3.22 6.35 7.58 T 2 80 54.12 84.52 98.88 51 76 84 2.50 5.39 6.58 T 3 86 58.15 87.79 103.34 60 88 96 3.37 6.55 8.43 T 4 77 49.34 81.89 94.60 41 62 68 2.31 3.93 5.12 T 5 79 54.17 78.73 97.63 48 73 78 2.65 4.85 6.18 T 6 83 54.73 85.52 99.80 53 78 86 3.17 6.18 6.95 T 7 78 52.09 81.60 96.29 48 67 68 2.37 4.51 5.57 Mean 80.16 53.31 83.01 97.55 49.41 73.37 79.58 2.71 5.15 6.37 S.Ed. 1.505 0.99 1.53 1.794 1.031 1.750 2.77 0.201 0.17 0.18 CD(P = 0.05) 3.22 2.12 3.291 3.849 2.212 3.754 5.947 0.43 0.37 0.38 Effect of hormonal priming on flowering and yield attributes Hormonal priming significantly influenced days to 50% flowering, number of flowers per cluster, fruit set percentage, and number of fruits per plant. Seeds primed with GA₃ @ 40 ppm (T₃) recorded the maximum number of flowers per cluster. Fruit set percentage was highest in T₃, followed by T₂ and T₁. Yield parameters such as average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, and total yield per hectare were significantly increased in hormonally primed treatments, with T₃ recording the highest values (Table 3 and Fig. 3 ). Table 3 Effect of hormonal priming reproductive and yield in tomato cv. PKM 1 Treatments Days to first flowering Days to 50 percent flowering Number of flower clusters per plant Number of fruits per plant Length of the fruit (cm) Diameter of the fruit (cm) Single fruit weight (g) Fruit set % Fruit yield per plant (g) Seed yield per plant (g) Seed yield per plot (g) Seed yield per ha (kg) 1000 seed weight (g) T 0 32 44 9.23 21 3.45 4.36 44.65 76 884.32 8.26 983.32 8.26 2.27 T 1 35 41 11.45 26 3.79 4.70 47.12 81 1205.67 15.35 1304.67 15.35 3.05 T 2 34 37 10.68 24 3.64 4.56 46.02 79 1145.78 14.36 1245.78 14.36 2.60 T 3 37 45 12.55 27 3.96 4.95 49.43 83 1242.43 16.56 1352.43 16.56 3.25 T 4 30 32 9.85 22 3.41 4.31 44.96 77 945.67 11.85 835.67 11.85 2.36 T 5 32 38 10.58 24 3.65 4.46 47.71 79 1195.89 13.86 1296.89 13.86 2.54 T 6 32 41 10.50 26 3.73 4.47 46.87 77 1184.65 14.56 1285.65 14.56 2.91 T 7 32 37 10.17 23 3.32 4.53 47.32 79 1134.76 12.76 1034.76 12.76 2.47 Mean 33 34 10.627 24.125 3.6221 4.54 46.76 2.68 1117.39 13.44 202.70 482.14 2.68 S.Ed. 1.65 2.22 0.3327 0.456 0.0667 0.083 0.8413 0.7494 21.517 0.2740 4.234 9.668 0.126 CD(P = 0.05) 3.554 4.77 0.684 0.9785 0.143 0.178 1.804 1.607 46.1561 0.5878 9.082 20.738 0.27 Effect of hormonal priming on seed yield and seed quality Significant improvements were recorded in seed yield per plant, 1000-seed weight, and seed recovery percentage in hormonally primed treatments. The highest seed yield was obtained from plants raised from GA₃-primed seeds (T₃), followed by IAA-primed (T₂) and NAA-primed (T₁) treatments. Laboratory seed quality assessment of harvested seeds revealed that T₃ recorded the highest germination percentage, vigour indices, and seedling biomass. Control seeds consistently showed the lowest values for all measured parameters (Table 4 and Fig. 4 ). Table 4 Effect of hormonal priming on result seed quality in tomato cv. PKM 1 Treatments Speed of germination Germination (%) Root length (cm) Shoot length (cm) Seedling length (cm) Seedling fresh weight (g/10 seedlings) Seedling dry weight (g/10 seedlings) Vigour index -I Vigour index -II T 0 17.38 74 (58.70) 5.32 7.34 12.45 0.2050 0.0402 1132 1.7967 T 1 21.43 84 (63.93) 8.86 10.32 17.87 0.3340 0.0720 1465 3.4500 T 2 18.88 80 (62.34) 7.45 9.43 16.98 0.2150 0.0850 1343 2.6667 T 3 20.12 86 (67.30) 9.31 12.48 18.45 0.3460 0.1020 1590 3.8300 T 4 16.48 76 (59.36) 6.42 8.21 13.68 0.2461 0.0663 1168 1.9500 T 5 17.42 79 (62.97) 7.56 9.67 15.98 0.3150 0.0740 1364 2.9700 T 6 20.90 84 (63.53) 8.25 11.32 16.64 0.3040 0.0850 1446 3.1033 T 7 18.37 76 (60.68) 7.87 9.32 15.41 0.2720 0.7200 1260 2.5033 Mean 18.87 79.91 (62.38) 7.632 9.761 15.933 0.279 0.1558 1346 2.7834 S.Ed. 0.636 2.682 (1.8093) 0.2614 0.3390 0.546 0.0091 0.0080 45.651 0.0974 CD(P = 0.05) 1.348 5.686 (3.835) 0.5541 0.718 1.157 0.0193 0.0169 96.77 0.206 Discussion The present study demonstrated that hormonal priming significantly influenced crop growth, yield, and seed quality parameters of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. PKM 1 under both laboratory and field conditions. Among the treatments, gibberellic acid (GA₃ @ 40 ppm) and salicylic acid (SA @ 50 ppm) showed consistent improvement in germination percentage, seedling vigour, plant height, number of branches, fruit set percentage, fruit weight, and seed yield [ 14 ]. These findings are in line with the well-documented role of hormonal priming in enhancing metabolic activation during the early stages of germination and establishing robust seedlings, which in turn lead to superior field performance [ 15 , 16 ]. Gibberellic acid is known to stimulate the synthesis of hydrolytic enzymes such as α-amylase, which mobilizes seed reserves, thereby promoting rapid and uniform germination [ 17 ]. This aligns with our results, where GA₃-treated seeds recorded the highest germination rate and seedling vigour index. Similar observations were reported [ 18 ] in tomato and [ 19 ] in chilli, suggesting that GA₃ priming benefits are conserved across solanaceous crops. Salicylic acid priming also produced notable improvements, particularly in enhancing stress tolerance and reproductive success. SA is recognized as a signaling molecule in the activation of systemic acquired resistance and in regulating antioxidant enzyme activity, thereby protecting plants from oxidative stress [ 20 , 21 ]. In the present study, SA priming improved fruit set and seed yield, which may be attributed to its role in improving pollen viability and flower retention, as reported in cucumber [ 22 ] and tomato [ 23 ]. Ascorbic acid priming (AA @ 150 ppm) also enhanced seed quality attributes such as 100-seed weight and seedling vigour, possibly due to its antioxidant role in maintaining membrane integrity during germination [ 24 ]. Similar beneficial effects of AA priming on seed germination and seedling performance were observed [ 25 ] in okra and [ 26 ] in rice. Interestingly, naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) priming improved vegetative growth traits but did not match GA₃ and SA in yield enhancement. This observation suggests that while auxins can enhance cell elongation and vegetative biomass [ 27 ], their effect on reproductive success is comparatively limited in tomato, especially under field conditions. Hormonal priming, particularly with GA₃ and SA, improves tomato yield and seed quality at a low cost. However, large-scale commercial seed enhancement requires further trials and cost-benefit analyses. Additionally, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying priming-induced benefits should be further explored, especially in relation to hormonal cross-talk, stress signaling, and seed metabolomics [ 28 , 29 ]. Abbreviations ABA Abscisic acid ANOVA Analysis of variance CRD Completely Randomized Design DAT days after transplanting GA₃ gibberellic acid IAA Indole–3–acetic acid LSD Least Significant Difference RBD Randomized Block Design SA Salicylic acid TNAU Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication : Not applicable. Competing interests : The authors declare no competing interests. Funding : This study was not supported any funding. Author Contribution PS and PV performed the study. PS wrote the manuscript. BR and SS conceived of the study and participated in its design and coordination. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgement The authors would like to thank the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Tamilnadu, India. Data Availability Data will be available after reasonable request to the corresponding author. 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Effect of ascorbic acid seed priming on germination and growth of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L). Int J Chem Stud. 2021;9:197–202. Raj SK, Puthur JT. Exogenous ascorbic acid priming enhances drought tolerance in rice seedlings. Acta Physiol Plant. 2019;41:80–7. Taiz L, Zeiger E, Møller IM, Murphy A. Plant physiology and development. 6th ed. Sinauer Associates; 2015. Rajjou L, Duval M, Gallardo K, Catusse J, Bally J, Job C, Job D. Seed germination and vigor. Annu Rev Plant Biol. 2012;63:507–33. Hussain S. Seed priming with ABA antagonists improves drought tolerance in crops. Environ Exp Bot. 2016;122:10–21. 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. 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1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":266955,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of hormonal priming on speed of early stage of initial seed quality in tomato cv. PKM 1\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7693556/v1/e85046c5c4bb3e65c8503626.png"},{"id":98250037,"identity":"0c110058-e481-469f-be87-2a87bc07c3fd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-15 16:46:12","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":209798,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of hormonal priming on growth stages at 30 DAT, 60 DAT and 90 DAT in Tomato cv. PKM 1\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7693556/v1/1f4ed215e309ced1b429100b.png"},{"id":98250039,"identity":"68b9f083-20bb-4da1-8172-3620e974ea86","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-15 16:46:12","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":298714,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of hormonal priming reproductive and yield in tomato cv. PKM 1\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7693556/v1/606a87d1ccc8cadaaf1ce294.png"},{"id":98250040,"identity":"3f3c4db4-8ebb-4f4a-b813-c7f947897fee","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-15 16:46:12","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":276400,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of hormonal priming on result seed quality in Tomato cv. PKM 1\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7693556/v1/9bdcd94b887c650f683ce5a5.png"},{"id":109645113,"identity":"feca9a8c-cdf8-4c4f-b013-f130b19214fa","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-20 14:55:20","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1134042,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7693556/v1/db12d6c4-2434-4f85-ab33-ab3c3293a876.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Impact of hormonal priming on crop growth, yield and seed quality in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. PKM 1","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eTomato (\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c/em\u003e L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops worldwide, grown in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates for its culinary versatility and nutritional richness. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, lycopene, and other bioactive compounds that contribute to human health [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. In India, tomato holds a significant share in vegetable production and is cultivated both in open fields and under protected conditions. Among the popular varieties, PKM 1 is known for its adaptability, good fruit set, and desirable fruit quality, making it suitable for fresh market consumption and processing (TNAU, 2021). However, tomato productivity is often constrained by poor seedling establishment, erratic germination, environmental stresses, and suboptimal seed quality. Seed priming has emerged as a cost-effective and eco-friendly pre-sowing technique to enhance seed performance and crop establishment [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR3\" citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. The process involves controlled hydration of seeds to activate early metabolic processes without radicle protrusion, followed by drying to the original moisture content [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Among various priming methods, hormonal priming using phytohormones such as gibberellic acid (GA₃), salicylic acid (SA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), cytokinins, and jasmonic acid has attracted considerable attention for improving germination rate, seedling vigor, yield attributes, and stress tolerance in horticultural crops [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePhytohormones regulate numerous physiological and biochemical processes in plants, including seed dormancy breaking, cell division, elongation, nutrient mobilization, and stress signaling pathways [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. Hormonal priming can modify endogenous hormonal balance for example, decreasing the abscisic acid (ABA) to GA₃ ratio thereby accelerating germination and enhancing uniform seedling emergence [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. It can also stimulate antioxidant defense systems by increasing the activity of enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase, which protect cells from oxidative damage under stress conditions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. In tomato, studies have reported that GA₃ priming improves germination percentage, root and shoot length, and dry matter accumulation, leading to better early growth and higher fruit yield [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. Similarly, SA priming has been shown to enhance photosynthetic efficiency, flowering, and fruit set, while mitigating the effects of abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. Such improvements ultimately contribute to better fruit yield and seed quality parameters, including higher 1000-seed weight, germination rate, and vigor index.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe cultivar PKM 1, developed for tropical conditions, offers an excellent model to investigate the physiological and agronomic impacts of hormonal priming. Despite the demonstrated benefits of priming in other tomato cultivars, systematic research focusing on PKM 1 is limited. Moreover, the interaction between specific hormones, their concentrations, and their effects on growth, yield, and seed quality under field conditions in this variety remains underexplored. Understanding these responses could contribute to optimizing seed enhancement protocols and improving production efficiency. Given the increasing need for sustainable intensification of horticultural systems, hormonal priming offers a practical approach to improve seedling establishment, enhance crop performance, and ensure high-quality seed production. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the impact of different hormonal priming treatments on crop growth, yield components, and seed quality traits of tomato (\u003cem\u003eS. lycopersicum\u003c/em\u003e L.) cv. PKM 1 under local agro-climatic conditions.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eExperimental site and period\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe present investigation entitled \u0026ldquo;Impact of hormonal priming on crop growth, yield and seed quality in tomato (\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c/em\u003e L.) cv. PKM 1\u0026rdquo; comprised both laboratory and field experiments. Laboratory trials were conducted at the Seed Science and Technology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, during December 2022. Field experiments were carried out at Umayalpuram village, Attur, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, from June 2023 to October 2023.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExperimental design and treatments\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe laboratory experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with eight treatments and three replications. The field experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with the same eight treatments and three replications. Genetically and physically pure seeds of tomato cv. PKM 1 were procured from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, and Tamil Nadu. Hormonal priming agents were sourced from certified agri-clinics. The treatments were as follows T₀ \u0026ndash; Control (Unprimed seeds),\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eT₁ \u0026ndash; Naphthalene acetic acid @ 45 ppm, T₂ \u0026ndash; Indole-3-acetic acid @ 100 ppm,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eT₃ \u0026ndash; Gibberellic acid @ 40 ppm, T₄ \u0026ndash; Chlormequat chloride @ 250 ppm, T₅ \u0026ndash; Ascorbic acid @ 150 ppm, T₆ \u0026ndash; Salicylic acid @ 50 ppm, and T₇ \u0026ndash; 4-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid @ 20 ppm\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSeed priming procedure\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe required concentrations of hormonal solutions were prepared by dissolving the calculated quantity of each chemical in distilled water. For example, 1 ppm was prepared by dissolving 1 mg of solute in 1 L of distilled water. Seeds were soaked in the respective solutions at a seed-to-solution ratio of 1:⅓ (w/v) for 24 hours. Following soaking, seeds were rinsed with distilled water, shade-dried to their original moisture content, and stored until use. Unprimed seeds served as the control.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eField management\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTomato seeds from each treatment were sown in nursery beds and transplanted into the main field following the recommended package of practices for tomato cultivation. Standard crop management measures, including irrigation, fertilization, weeding, and pest control, were applied uniformly to all plots.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData collection and observations\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLaboratory parameters\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGermination percentage, mean germination time, seedling length, seedling vigour index I and II, and dry matter production were recorded following the protocols of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA, 2020).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eField parameters\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData on crop growth (plant height, number of branches, leaf area index), phenology (days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest), yield attributes (number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight), and total yield (t ha⁻\u0026sup1;) were recorded. Post-harvest seed quality parameters including seed germination, seedling vigour indices, and 1000 seed weight were evaluated according to ISTA (2020) guidelines.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eData obtained from both laboratory and field experiments were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) appropriate for the respective experimental designs as described [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. Treatment means were compared using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a 5% probability level. All statistical computations were performed using SPSS v.26.0 software.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of hormonal Priming on germination and seedling vigour (Laboratory study) significant differences (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05) were observed among the hormonal priming treatments for germination percentage, mean germination time, and seedling vigour index. Among the treatments, gibberellic acid @ 40 ppm (T₃) recorded the highest germination percentage (XX%), followed by indole-3-acetic acid @ 100 ppm (T₂) and naphthalene acetic acid\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e@ 45 ppm (T₁). The lowest germination percentage was noted in the control (T₀). Mean germination time was shortest in T₃, indicating enhanced metabolic activation during germination. Seedling vigour index values followed a similar trend (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\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\u003eEffect of hormonal priming on speed of early stage of initial seed quality in tomato cv. 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colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpeed of germination\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGermination (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRoot \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003elength \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eShoot length \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeedling length \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeedling fresh weight \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(g/10 seedlings)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeedling dry weight \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(g/10 seedlings)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVigour index -I\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVigour index -II\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70 (56.79)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.055\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.022\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e962\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80 (63.18)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.124\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.045\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1491\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.99\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76 (60.89)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.120\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.055\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1334\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82 (64.91)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.136\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.052\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1579\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70 (57.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.066\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.026\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1150\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75 (60.22)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.101\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.036\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1302\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e6\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77 (61.34)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.93\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.071\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.041\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1417\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75 (59.78)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.097\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1208\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.360\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76 (60.52)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.097\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.038\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1305\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eS.Ed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.5873\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.105 (0.77)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.124\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.166\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.290\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.012\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0086\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.780\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.232\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCD(P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.245\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.343 (1.64)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.267\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.356\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.623\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.025\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0185\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.299\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.492\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\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eEffect of hormonal priming on crop growth parameters (Field Study)\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant height, number of branches per plant, and leaf area index showed significant improvement in hormonally primed seeds compared to the unprimed control. Maximum plant height at 90 days after transplanting (DAT) was recorded in T₃, followed closely by T₂ and T₁. Similarly, the highest number of primary branches per plant was observed in T₃, while the lowest was in T₀. Leaf area index values increased steadily up to flowering, with T₃ outperforming all other treatments (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\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 hormonal priming on growth stages at 30 DAT, 60 DAT and 90 DAT in tomato\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ecv. PKM 1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"11\"\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=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" 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=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eField emergence (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant height\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumber of leaves per plant\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumber of branches per plant\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 DAT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 DAT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90 DAT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 DAT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDAT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90 DAT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 DAT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 DAT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90 DAT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e98.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e103.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.93\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e97.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e6\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e99.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e97.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eS.Ed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.505\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.794\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.031\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.750\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.201\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCD(P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.291\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.849\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.212\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.754\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.947\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.38\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\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eEffect of hormonal priming on flowering and yield attributes\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHormonal priming significantly influenced days to 50% flowering, number of flowers\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eper cluster, fruit set percentage, and number of fruits per plant. Seeds primed with GA₃\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e@ 40 ppm (T₃) recorded the maximum number of flowers per cluster. Fruit set percentage was highest in T₃, followed by T₂ and T₁. Yield parameters such as average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, and total yield per hectare were significantly increased in hormonally primed treatments, with T₃ recording the highest values (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" 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 hormonal priming reproductive and yield in tomato cv. PKM 1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"14\"\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=\"char\" char=\".\" 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=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" 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=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c13\" colnum=\"13\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c14\" colnum=\"14\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDays to first flowering\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDays to 50 percent flowering\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumber of flower clusters per plant\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumber of fruits per plant\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLength of the fruit (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDiameter of the fruit (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSingle fruit weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFruit set %\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFruit yield per plant (g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeed yield per plant (g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeed yield per plot\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeed yield per ha\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1000 seed weight \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e884.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e983.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1205.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1304.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1145.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1245.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1242.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1352.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e945.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e835.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1195.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1296.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e6\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1184.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1285.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.91\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1134.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1034.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.627\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.125\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.6221\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1117.39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e202.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e482.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eS.Ed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3327\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.456\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0667\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.083\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.8413\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.7494\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.517\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.2740\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.234\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.668\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.126\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCD(P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.554\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.684\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.9785\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.143\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.178\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.804\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.607\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.1561\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.5878\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.082\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.738\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\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\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eEffect of hormonal priming on seed yield and seed quality\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSignificant improvements were recorded in seed yield per plant, 1000-seed weight, and seed recovery percentage in hormonally primed treatments. The highest seed yield was obtained from plants raised from GA₃-primed seeds (T₃), followed by IAA-primed (T₂) and NAA-primed (T₁) treatments. Laboratory seed quality assessment of harvested seeds revealed that T₃ recorded the highest germination percentage, vigour indices, and seedling biomass. Control seeds consistently showed the lowest values for all measured parameters (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\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 hormonal priming on result seed quality in tomato cv. PKM 1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" 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=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpeed of germination\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGermination (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRoot \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003elength \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eShoot length \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeedling length \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeedling fresh weight \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(g/10 seedlings)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeedling dry weight \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(g/10 seedlings)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVigour index -I\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVigour index -II\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74 (58.70)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.2050\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0402\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1132\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.7967\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84 (63.93)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3340\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0720\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1465\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.4500\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80 (62.34)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.2150\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0850\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1343\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.6667\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86 (67.30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3460\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.1020\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1590\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.8300\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76 (59.36)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.2461\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0663\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1168\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.9500\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79 (62.97)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3150\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0740\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1364\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.9700\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e6\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.90\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84 (63.53)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3040\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0850\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1446\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.1033\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76 (60.68)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.2720\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.7200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1260\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.5033\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79.91 (62.38)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.632\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.761\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.933\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.279\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.1558\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1346\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.7834\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eS.Ed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.636\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.682 (1.8093)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.2614\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.3390\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.546\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0091\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0080\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.651\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0974\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCD(P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.348\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.686 (3.835)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.5541\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.718\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.157\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0193\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.0169\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.206\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\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe present study demonstrated that hormonal priming significantly influenced crop growth, yield, and seed quality parameters of tomato (\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c/em\u003e L.) cv. PKM 1 under both laboratory and field conditions. Among the treatments, gibberellic acid (GA₃ @ 40 ppm) and salicylic acid (SA @ 50 ppm) showed consistent improvement in germination percentage, seedling vigour, plant height, number of branches, fruit set percentage, fruit weight, and seed yield [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. These findings are in line with the well-documented role of hormonal priming in enhancing metabolic activation during the early stages of germination and establishing robust seedlings, which in turn lead to superior field performance [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]. Gibberellic acid is known to stimulate the synthesis of hydrolytic enzymes such as α-amylase, which mobilizes seed reserves, thereby promoting rapid and uniform germination [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. This aligns with our results, where GA₃-treated seeds recorded the highest germination rate and seedling vigour index. Similar observations were reported [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e] in tomato and [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e] in chilli, suggesting that GA₃ priming benefits are conserved across solanaceous crops. Salicylic acid priming also produced notable improvements, particularly in enhancing stress tolerance and reproductive success. SA is recognized as a signaling molecule in the activation of systemic acquired resistance and in regulating antioxidant enzyme activity, thereby protecting plants from oxidative stress [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. In the present study, SA priming improved fruit set and seed yield, which may be attributed to its role in improving pollen viability and flower retention, as reported in cucumber [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e] and tomato [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. Ascorbic acid priming (AA @ 150 ppm) also enhanced seed quality attributes such as 100-seed weight and seedling vigour, possibly due to its antioxidant role in maintaining membrane integrity during germination [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. Similar beneficial effects of AA priming on seed germination and seedling performance were observed [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e] in okra and [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e] in rice.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInterestingly, naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) priming improved vegetative growth traits but did not match GA₃ and SA in yield enhancement. This observation suggests that while auxins can enhance cell elongation and vegetative biomass [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e], their effect on reproductive success is comparatively limited in tomato, especially under field conditions. Hormonal priming, particularly with GA₃ and SA, improves tomato yield and seed quality at a low cost. However, large-scale commercial seed enhancement requires further trials and cost-benefit analyses. Additionally, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying priming-induced benefits should be further explored, especially in relation to hormonal cross-talk, stress signaling, and seed metabolomics [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionList\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eABA\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbscisic acid\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eANOVA\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnalysis of variance\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eCRD\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCompletely Randomized Design\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eDAT\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003edays after transplanting\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eGA₃\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003egibberellic acid\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eIAA\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIndole\u0026ndash;3\u0026ndash;acetic acid\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eLSD\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLeast Significant Difference\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eRBD\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRandomized Block Design\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eSA\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eTNAU\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTamil Nadu Agricultural University\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ch2\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate:\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cb\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/b\u003e :\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests :\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding :\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study was not supported any funding.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePS and PV performed the study. PS wrote the manuscript. BR and SS conceived of the study and participated in its design and coordination. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors would like to thank the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Tamilnadu, India.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eData will be available after reasonable request to the corresponding author.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBhat RA, Riar CS. Salicylic acid seed priming improves germination, growth, and antioxidant activity in tomato under water deficit stress. Sci Hortic. 2020;272:109\u0026ndash;514.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAshraf M, Foolad MR. Pre-sowing seed treatment - A shotgun approach to improve germination, plant growth, and crop yield under saline and non-saline conditions. Adv Agr. 2005;88:223\u0026ndash;71.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAshrafuzzaman M. Priming effects on crop productivity: Field-level evidence. Afr J Agrl Res. 2009;4:593\u0026ndash;7.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMartinez JP. Phytohormone priming modulates nutrient uptake efficiency in vegetable crops. Sci Hortic. 2018;233:217\u0026ndash;25.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBasra SMA. Performance of tomato seeds in response to osmotic and hormonal priming treatments. Seed Sci Technol. 2005;33:623\u0026ndash;8.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFarooq M, Usman M, Nadeem F, Rehman HU, Wahid A, Basra SMA, Siddique KHM. Seed priming in field crops: Potential benefits, adoption and challenges. Crop Pasture Sci. 2019;70:731\u0026ndash;71.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRhaman MS, Imran S, Lee Y, Lee H. Seed priming with phytohormones: An effective approach for the improvement of crop productivity. Plants. 2021;10:37\u0026ndash;45.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKaya C, Higgs D, Ashraf M, Alyemeni MN. Exogenous salicylic acid improves reproductive growth and quality of tomato under suboptimal conditions. Sci Hortic. 2022;291:110596.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaiz L, Zeiger E, M\u0026oslash;ller IM, Murphy A. Plant physiology and development (7th ed.). Sinauer Associates. A textbook reference detailing phytohormone signaling in seed dormancy release, germination, and seedling growth. This serves as a theoretical foundation for understanding how hormonal priming works. 2022.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnand A, Kumari A, Thakur M, Koul A. Hydrogen peroxide signaling integrates with phytohormones during the germination of magnetoprimed tomato seeds. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2019;135:511\u0026ndash;20.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMahalakshmi S. Effect of GA₃ seed priming on germination, seedling growth and yield of tomato. Int J Chem Stud. 2018;6:159\u0026ndash;63.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThakur A, Malik A, Singh D. Seed priming to improve tomato productivity in salinity stressed environments: A review. Pharma Innov J. 2022;11:1633\u0026ndash;8.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePanse VG, Sukhatme PV. Statistical methods for agricultural workers. 3rd Edn., Indian Council of Agrl. Res., New Delhi, India. 1978.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWang Y. GA₃ priming enhances nutrient mobilization and starch degradation in germinating seeds. Plant Growth Reg. 2019;87:1\u0026ndash;10.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJisha KC, Vijayakumari K, Puthur JT. Seed priming for abiotic stress tolerance: An overview. Acta Physiol Plant. 2013;35:1381\u0026ndash;96.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaparella S, Ara\u0026uacute;jo SS, Rossi G, Wijayasinghe M, Carbonera D, Balestrazzi A. Seed priming: State of the art and new perspectives. Plant Cell Rep. 2015;34:1281\u0026ndash;93.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBewley JD, Bradford KJ, Hilhorst HWM, Nonogaki H. Seeds: Physiology of development, germination and dormancy (3rd ed.). Springer. 2013.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePandey P, Singh RK, Saini RK. Effect of GA₃ seed priming on growth and yield of tomato (\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c/em\u003e L). Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci. 2020;9:2352\u0026ndash;60.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSharma D, Sharma S, Singh R. Influence of gibberellic acid seed priming on growth, yield, and quality of chilli (\u003cem\u003eCapsicum annuum\u003c/em\u003e L). J Appl Nat Sci. 2019;11:196\u0026ndash;200.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHayat Q, Hayat S, Irfan M, Ahmad A. Effect of exogenous salicylic acid under changing environment: A review. Environ Exp Bot. 2010;68:14\u0026ndash;25.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKhan MIR, Fatma M, Per TS, Anjum NA, Khan NA. Salicylic acid-induced abiotic stress tolerance and underlying mechanisms in plants. Front Plant Sci. 2015;6:462.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShakirova FM, Sakhabutdinova AR, Bezrukova MV, Fatkhutdinova RA, Fatkhutdinova DR. Changes in the hormonal status of wheat seedlings induced by salicylic acid and salinity. Plant Sci. 2003;164:317\u0026ndash;22.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKaya MD. Seed priming improves germination in various field crops under stressful conditions. J Agr Crop Sci. 2022;192:10\u0026ndash;6.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmirnoff N. Ascorbic acid metabolism and functions: A comparison of plants and mammals. Free Rad Biol Med. 2018;122:116\u0026ndash;29.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShete MB, Gawande MB, Patil RA. Effect of ascorbic acid seed priming on germination and growth of okra (\u003cem\u003eAbelmoschus esculentus\u003c/em\u003e L). Int J Chem Stud. 2021;9:197\u0026ndash;202.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRaj SK, Puthur JT. Exogenous ascorbic acid priming enhances drought tolerance in rice seedlings. Acta Physiol Plant. 2019;41:80\u0026ndash;7.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaiz L, Zeiger E, M\u0026oslash;ller IM, Murphy A. Plant physiology and development. 6th ed. Sinauer Associates; 2015.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRajjou L, Duval M, Gallardo K, Catusse J, Bally J, Job C, Job D. Seed germination and vigor. Annu Rev Plant Biol. 2012;63:507\u0026ndash;33.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHussain S. Seed priming with ABA antagonists improves drought tolerance in crops. Environ Exp Bot. 2016;122:10\u0026ndash;21.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"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":"Tomato, PKM 1, hormonal priming, gibberellic acid, seed quality, yield enhancement","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7693556/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7693556/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe present study evaluated the effect of hormonal seed priming on germination, growth, yield and seed quality of tomato (\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c/em\u003e L.) cv. PKM 1 under laboratory and field conditions. Eight treatments were tested, including control (unprimed seeds), naphthalene acetic acid (45 ppm), indole-3-acetic acid (100 ppm), gibberellic acid (GA₃, 40 ppm), chlormequat chloride (250 ppm), ascorbic acid (150 ppm), salicylic acid (50 ppm), and 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (20 ppm), arranged in CRD (lab) and RBD (field) designs with three replications. Seeds were primed for 24 h, shade-dried, and evaluated for germination percentage, vigour indices, seedling growth, field emergence, crop growth parameters, yield attributes, and post-harvest seed quality. GA₃ @ 40 ppm (T₃) consistently outperformed other treatments, recording the highest germination (86%), seedling length (18.45 cm), vigour index-I (1590), plant height at 90 DAT (103.34 cm), number of fruits per plant (27), single fruit weight (49.43 g), fruit yield (1242.43 g plant⁻\u0026sup1;), and seed yield (16.56 g plant⁻\u0026sup1;). Salicylic acid @ 50 ppm (T₆) and NAA @ 45 ppm (T₁) also improved several growth and reproductive traits compared to the control. Enhanced seed quality of the resultant produce from GA₃-primed plants included higher germination (86%), seedling vigour, and 1000-seed weight (3.25 g). The findings confirm that hormonal priming, particularly with GA₃, is an effective, low-cost strategy to improve seedling establishment, maximize yield, and enhance seed quality in tomato cv. PKM 1, offering potential for wider adoption in sustainable horticulture.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Impact of hormonal priming on crop growth, yield and seed quality in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. PKM 1","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-12-15 16:46:07","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7693556/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":"5c95f9be-50dd-4a78-9857-edd4419f8e69","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 15th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"decision","content":"Rejected","date":"2026-05-20T14:42:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-20T14:54:14+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-12-15 16:46:07","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7693556","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7693556","identity":"rs-7693556","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}