Seed Priming Boosts Plant Growth, Yield Attributes, Seed Chemical and Antioxidant Composition in Lentil under Low-Phosphorus Field Conditions

Although legumes can meet nitrogen requirements via symbiotic nitrogen fixation, they must acquire phosphorus from the rhizosphere through their roots. Additionally, the fixation of phosphorus with various cations in soils reduces its availability, thereby decreasing its effectiveness and increasing production costs. This study was conducted during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 growing seasons to investigate the effects of seed pre-treatment (priming) and phosphorus doses on plant growth, yield attributes, and seed chemical composition in lentil at Siirt, Türkiye. Six seed priming treatments and four phosphorus doses were used in the study. The research was laid out in split-plot randomized complete block design with four replications. According to the results, phosphorus fertilizer increased seed yield, but there was no statistical difference between 15 and 60 kg P₂O₅ ha^− 1. Seed priming had a synergistic effect, allowing for higher seed yield when combined with phosphorus fertilizer, especially silicon priming resulting in high seed yield even at low phosphorus fertilizer doses. This result also indicated that seed priming improved phosphorus efficiency. The highest seed yield and net income were obtained by 6 kg P₂O₅ ha^− 1 with silicon priming treatment. Moreover, seed priming with salicylic acid, beneficial bacteria and silicon boosted growth and yield attributes, and seed chemical composition. Silicon priming increased the total antioxidant content in seeds while salicylic acid priming provided opportunities for both the increase of total antioxidants and phenolics. In conclusion, seed priming is an easy-to-implement and economical method for reducing phosphorus fertilizer and an effective way for higher profitability in lentil cultivation.