###### Abstract  
The current study was aimed to evaluate the seed priming potential of AGE (aqueous garlic extracts) to enhance seed germination and early seedling growth of eggplant. Different concentrations (100, 200, and 300 \(\upmu\)g mL\({}^{-1}\)) of AGE were evaluated along with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA), plant growth regulators with reported seed priming potential whereas, water was taken as a control treatment. Eggplant seeds were primed for 4-, 8-, and 12-h and seed germination traits such germination rate index, germination percentage, mean germination time, and early seedling growth traits such as fresh and dry weights, root, and shoot lengths were observed. Moreover, plant antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation levels, soluble protein contents and reactive oxygen species were monitored to establish the stimulatory/inhibitory effects of the treatments. Our results indicate priming potential of AGE, SA, and MeJA to enhance seed germination and early seedling growth in eggplant and the effects were obvious in various morphological and physiological traits. Seed priming significantly altered the antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) with alteration in the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, priming duration also affected the bioactivity of these chemicals because seed priming with 300 \(\upmu\)g mL\({}^{-1}\) AGE for 4 h had a positive influence, however, prolonged exposure to the same concentration inhibited the seed germination process and induced oxidative stress on the seedlings with elevated levels of malondialdehydedehyde (MDA) content. We propose AGE seed priming as a bio-stimulant to enhance seed germination and early seedling growth in eggplant, and the results hence lay the foundation for the preparation of garlic-based compounds to improve vegetables production under plastic tunnels and greenhouse production units. seed priming; antioxidants; aqueous garlic extract; ROS; eggplant; germination +
Footnote †: journal: Applied  
phenomenon to establish the proceeding plant growth and development in a particular environment. It is therefore necessary to understand that any alteration, imbalance, or obstacle during this stage may affect or define the lateral development or growth pattern of the plants [2; 3]. By nature, each seed is equipped with the necessary food and biochemical drive forces to establish its existence into the provided environment [4]. However, the conditions of the very environment sometimes interact with the seed germination. Various reports show that numerous physiological activities such as antioxidative enzymes [5], hormones such as Abscisic acid (ABA) [6], Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) [7] and Gibberellic acid (GA\({}_{3}\)) [8], starch metabolism [9] and soluble sugars content [10], the redox potential [11] etc., overall influence the germination process and may be considered important parameters to study the germination process in a particular environmental situation. To overcome germination obstacles or to enhance germination potential, numerous methods can be employed such as the use of genetically enhanced/modified seeds bank and chemical priming [12; 13; 14]. Priming is seed treatments that result in hydrating the seeds followed by re-drying to activate certain biochemical processes but the radicle protrusion, however, has not occurred yet. Seed priming has been shown to successfully enhance the germination process and alleviate or overcome germination obstacles [15]. Nevertheless, seed priming is suggested to induce resistance against pathogenic attacks [16] or to stimulate the early growth of the plants [17]. Therefore, a well-established root system anticipates improved growth and development of the resulting plants. However, priming potential of a proposed chemical depends on the concentration of the chemical as well as, the priming duration.