Abstract

A laboratory experiment was carried out in the Field Crops Department laboratory / College of Agriculture / University of Kirkuk during 2023. The experiment studied the effect of seed stimulation to enhance wheat varieties germination by using potassium nitrate (KNO3). The factorial experiment was established by using a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. First factor include concentrations of (KNO3) (0 without addition, 10%, 20%). While, the second factor involved wheat varieties (Buhooth 22, Al-Wafia, Alaa, Aras and Rezgary) the experiment aimed to determine the best concentration of (KNO3) due to the variety's response. The experiment results showed a significant influence of 20% (KNO3) by achieving the highest means for all the studied traits. While the 10% of (KNO3) significantly increased the germination percentage% (81.60%) and seedling vigor index (626.2) compared to 0% of (KNO3). For wheat varieties, Aras had a significant impact in all studied characteristics, except germination percentage% compared to other varieties, but the highest germination percentage% (95.11%) was for Al-Wafia variety. Interaction between the experiment factors had a significant effect, where the best combination was between 20% of (KNO3) with Aras variety in radicle length (9.33 cm), plumule length (7.10 cm) and seedling vigor index (1602.0). Whereas, for seedling wet and dry weight the interaction between 20% of (KNO3) with Buhooth 22 variety were the highest (73.75 mg) and (13.63 mg) respectively. The experiment results conclude the possibility of using 20% of (KNO3) to increase seeds priming and improve seedling traits, especially for the studied wheat varieties.