Enhancement of seed quality in chilli (Capasicum annum L)
Loading...
Files
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of olericulture, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
Chilli (Capsicum annuum) is one of the important vegetable crops of the world and is widely cultivated throughout the tropical and subtropical countries. There has been a great competition in the world market for chilli and hence it is necessary to increase production and productivity. The availability of quality seed is essential to achieve optimum crop stand in the field. The most important aspect in the seed production programme is maintenance of regular supply of high quality seeds to farmers. Under ambient conditions of storage, chilli loses its viability within a year. In Kerala situation is still worse because of the prevailing high humidity. Therefore a study was conducted to standardise the methods for seed quality enhancement in chilli by priming and storage in the Dept. of Olericulture, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara during December 2011 to December 2012. Freshly harvested seeds of chilli var. Anugraha were stored under ambient condition for 12 months. Seed samples were drawn after 3, 6 and 9 months of storage and subjected to priming treatments viz. Control (P1), Water soaking (P2), NaCl (10- 5M) (P3), CaCl2 (10-5M), (P4) KNO3 (150ppm) (P5), PEG 6000 (-1.5MPa) (P6) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (10g/kg seed) (P7). The primed seeds were stored in two types of storage containers i.e. cloth bag (S1) and polythene bag (700 gauge) (S2). The seeds subjected to priming, after 3 months of storage, with PEG 6000 (-1.5 MPa) and stored in polythene bag (700 gauge) recorded the maximum germination (56.3 %), speed of germination (8.2), vigour indices and minimum electrical conductivity of the seed leachate (0.704 dsm-1). Highest seedling length (14.62 cm), seedling fresh weight (172.77 mg) and seedling dry weight (17.42 mg) were observed in the seeds treated with P. fluorescens (10 g/kg of seed) and stored in polythene bag (700 gauge). In control, germination (30.54%), speed of germination (4.07), and vigour indices were low After 6 months of storage, when the seeds were treated with PEG 6000 (-1.5 M Pa) and stored in polythene bag (700 gauge) the maximum germination (55.3 %), speed of germination (7.5), vigour indices and minimum electrical conductivity of the seed leachates (0.443 dsm-1) were recorded.Maximum seedling length (13.85 cm), seedling fresh weight (165.3 mg) and seedling dry weight (16.90 mg) were observed in seeds treated with P. fluorescens (10 g/kg of seed). There was significant difference between treatments for percent germination (%), speed of germination and vigour indices when priming was done 9 months after storage. Seeds treated with PEG 6000 (-1.5 MPa) and stored in polythene bag recorded highest percent germination (37.6 %), speed of germination (5.5), seedling length (13.85 cm), seedling fresh weight (150.5 mg) and seedling dry weight (15.5 mg). The seed quality parameters of stored seeds (3, 6 and 9 months) recorded higher values of percent germination and seedling vigour indices immediately after priming with PEG 6000 (-1.5 MPa). The unprimed (control) seeds maintained minimum seed certification standards for certified seeds only up to sixth month. The seeds primed with PEG 6000 (-1.5 M Pa) and stored in polythene bag (700 gauge) after 3 months and 6 months of storage (ambient conditions) maintained seed certification standards up to eighth month and ninth month of storage respectively.
Description
PG
Keywords
null