Germination performance of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) as affected by seed priming treatments

Abstract

Seeds of chilli cv. Pusa Jwala and coriander cv. Akash Ganga primed with water (hydro priming), GA3 (50, 100 & 150 ppm), PEG 6000 (-1.1 & -1.5 MPa) for 12, 24 and 36 hours at 25°C and keeping unprimed seeds as control were tested to study the priming effects on germination and seedling growth traits. Significant variation for germination percent, fresh ungerminated seeds, mean germination time, germination index, seed vigour index, root and shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weight, and seedling emergence were observed among the treatments. For both the crops, GA3 and PEG priming were found the most effective. Twelve hours of hydro-priming and 24 hours of GA3 and PEG priming were found to be the best duration. GA3 @ 50 ppm and PEG 6000 @ -1.1 MPa were the best for enhancement of germination and seedling growth traits in both the crops.