Effect of Nano-primed Green-Synthesized Potassium Nanoparticles (GSKNPs) at Different Temperatures on Seed Quality Parameters in Chickpea

Abstract

High-temperature stress can impair chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germination and early seedling establishment. This study evaluated nano-seed priming with green-synthesised potassium nanoparticles (GSKNPs), prepared using onion dry scale extract, for improving seed quality parameters of chickpea cv. JG-11 under 25°C and 35°C conditions. Seeds were primed with 10 mg/l (P1), 20 mg/l (P2), or 30 mg/l (P3) GSKNPs, while untreated seeds served as the control (P4). Germination rate, electrical conductivity, imbibition rate, field emergence, and seedling survival rate were assessed, and the experiment was analysed using a factorial completely randomised design. Germination rate did not differ significantly among nano-priming treatments, although temperature had a significant effect. Electrical conductivity also showed no significant treatment effect, but the temperature effect was significant; P3 recorded the lowest overall mean EC value (128.12 µS cm⁻¹ g⁻¹) compared with the control mean of 131.62 µS cm⁻¹ g⁻¹. P1 produced the highest mean imbibition rate (57.52%), P2 recorded the highest mean field emergence (86.87%), and P3 recorded the highest mean seedling survival rate (74.87%). Seedling survival declined at 35°C across all treatments, with the control showing the greatest reduction. Overall, the findings indicate that GSKNP nano-priming influenced several seed-quality and establishment traits under the tested temperature conditions, with responses varying according to nanoparticle concentration.