Effect of seed priming with seaweed extracts on Seed quality parameters in Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) Cv. CO 6

Abstract

The brown macro algae Turbinaria conoides, Sargassum wightii and Sargassum myricocystum contain beneficial nutrients. The aim of this study was to exploit these sea weeds for seed priming to prevent seed deterioration and to improve germination and vigour of blackgram seeds. Medium vigour seeds of blackgram cv. CO 6 were subjected to priming treatments viz., unprimed seeds control (T1), hydropriming for 3 hours (T2); priming with 1.0% Sargassum wightii extract for 3 hours (T3); priming with 1.5% Sargassum myricocystum extract for 3 hours (T4) and priming with 1.5% Turbinaria conoides extract for 3 hours (T5). The primed seeds were artificially aged under 40 ± 1oC and 95 ± 5 % RH for five days. Then the seeds were analyzed for various physiological and biochemical seed quality parameters. The results revealed that the seeds primed with sea weed extracts had significantly improved all the physiological and biochemical seed quality parameters and the seeds performed better germination and other seed quality parameters even after ageing than the hydroprimed and control seeds. Thus, Turbinaria conoides and Sargassum wightii extracts can be used for seed priming and seed quality enhancement in blackgram.