Effect of seed-priming through chemicals on seed enhancement in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Chickpea is a diploid species with a chromosome number 2n = 16 Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) belongs to genus Cicer, family Fabaceae, and subfamily Papilionaceae. Chickpea is an important Ravi season, self-pollinated legume crop having extensive geographical distribution. The present investigation entitled “Suitability of bio-agent for priming the Seed enhancement in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)” was under taken to find out the efficacy of seed priming for enhancing the standard germination, shoot length, root length, seedling vigour and electrical conductivity in harvested seeds.in chemical agent Seed priming with GA3 50 ppm Seed priming with KNO3 0.2% Seed priming with KCl 2.0 % was used to check the suitability for priming the seed enhancement in chickpea. it was found that GA3 50 ppm was found the best treatment combination which enhanced the seed quality parameters namely in viability percent /germination percent, root length, shoot length, seedling length was enhancing the seed vigor and plant establishment and minimizing the incidence of Ascochyta Blight in chickpea. The maximum seed germination (91.33 %) was observed in hydro-priming for 8 hours (P2) in combination with chemical treatment with C1 (GA3 @ 50 ppm). The interaction effects of hydro-priming duration and seed treatment were found non-significant. However, the maximum germination (92.22%) was recorded with seed treatment with GA3 @ 50 ppm in combination hydro-priming for 8 hours. The interaction effects of chemical treatment and seed treatment were found non-significant. However, the maximum germination, emergence, establishment % viability %, root length cm, shoot length cm seedling length cm, vigor index and speed of germination were recorded with seed treatment with GA3 @ 50 ppm. The interaction effects of hydro-priming duration, chemical treatment and seed treatment were found non-significant.