Table 1 Experimental protocol of coriander seeds primed using tap water, solutions of potassium silicate (80 mM) or humic acid (50 mg. L^− 1) or irradiated by (50 Gy) γ-rays

1

Control

Primed in water, non-chilled

16 h in non-chilled water 20°C ±2

2

Chilling (6 °C ± 0.5)

Primed in water, chilled

16 h in chilled water 6°C ±0.5

3

Pot. silicate (80 mM)

primed, non-chilled

16 h in non-chilled pot. Silicate

4

Humic acid (50 mg l^− 1)

primed, non-chilled

16 h in non-chilled HA

5

γ- rays (50 Gy)

primed, non-chilled

16 h in non-chilled water and γ-irradiated seeds

6

Chilling + Pot. silicate

primed, chilled

16 h in chilled pot. Silicate

7

Chilling + Humic acid

primed, chilled

16 h in chilled HA

8

Chilling + γ- rays

primed, chilled

16 h in chilled water and γ-irradiated seeds