Seed-Priming: A Novel Approach for Improving Growth Performance and Resistance Against Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Meloidogyne incognita is among the most devastating pathogens contributing to heavy yield losses in crops. There is little evidence regarding the use of seed priming against root-knot nematode infestation in bread wheat. The current study was designed to determine the impact of different seed priming treatments in terms of growth performance and reduction in nematode infestation in local varieties of bread wheat. Seed priming was done with four botanical extracts e.g., Neem (Azadirachta indica), Datura (Datura stramonium), Kortuma (Citrullus colocynthis) and Moringa olifera leaf extract. Osmo-priming was done with KNO₃ and Magic water. Bio-priming was done with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Paraburkholderia phytofirmans strain PSJN‑1 and Bacillus subtilis strain MN-54 respectively. The primed seeds were sown in pots and the plants were afterward inoculated with Meloidogyne incognita infective juveniles. The results showed that seed priming with neem leaf extract was the most promising treatment among all the other treatments against nematode infestation in lab and pot trials. After direct application of treatments, it was observed that Neem significantly reduced the percent of egg hatching up to 30% while J2 mortality was 72% compared to control in vitro trials. However, in pot experiment number of galls, females, eggs, and J2 were reduced (24.01, 21.16, 21.21 and 21.30% respectively) in Neem treated plants, whereas PSJN‑1 exhibited maximum plant growth and reduced nematode infestation in pot trial. The study suggested the use of botanical extracts i.e., neem leaf extract and PSJN‑1 as a potential tool for better growth and nematode resistance in bread wheat.