Early seed vigor and uniform establishment have become the recognized key determinants of yield stability in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), particularly under diverse environmental conditions. Determining early physiological performance and adaptation potential can be via seed imbibition efficiency, root elongation, coleoptile growth, and germination capacity. Therefore, the following study aimed to evaluate the effects of biological seed treatments on these traits in winter wheat cv. Asr under laboratory conditions. Wheat seeds received treatments with different dilution ratios (1:1–1:9) of Bacillus megaterium, B. subtilis, and B. licheniformis, assessing the variables such as hydration dynamics, seedling growth, and germination. The results showed concentration-dependent physiological responses in wheat seedlings. Moderate dilutions (1:7–1:9) improved water uptake and considerably stimulated root and coleoptile elongation compared with the control. Root and coleoptile length exhibited the robust coordinated response, revealing enhanced early vigor. The germination percentage varied moderately, suggesting that treatments mainly influenced the post-imbibition growth rather than basic viability. Correlation analysis confirmed a significant association between the root and coleoptile growth. Thus, the optimized biological seed treatments remarkably enhanced the early structural growth and establishment potential of winter wheat seedlings.
Winter wheat (T. aestivum L.), Bacillus spp., biological seed treatments, seedling vigor, imbibition, early seedling development, root elongation, coleoptile growth
Biological seed treatment with Bacillus spp. significantly improved the early physiological performance of winter wheat (T. aestivum L.) cv. Asr seedlings. Moderate dilution ratios (1:7–1:9) enhanced water uptake, root length, and coleoptile elongation, while germination percentage showed moderate variations.