Paliwal, Arunima(Dr.)Kumar, AshokKumar, Ajay(Dr.) (Member)Kumar, Pankaj(Dr.) (Member)Chaudhary, Sumit(Dr.) (Member)2024-09-232024-09-232023Th-302https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810214836Title: “Evaluation of different lots of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) genotypes to assess the seed quality and it’s enhancement” Seed vigour is one of the important attribute of seed quality but the use of seed quality testing is limited as no vigour test is likely to perform best to all crops. The present investigation was conducted in Seed Science Laboratory of College of Forestry, Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal of VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry, Bharsar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. The experiments were conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications in laboratory to assess the seed quality of chia genotypes, to evaluate the efficacy of various seed vigour tests and to assess the chemical priming to enhance the seed quality of chia genotypes and factorial randomized block design with three replications in field to evaluate the effect of chemical priming on seed quality enhancement regarding field emergence of chia genotypes. The laboratory experiment comprised of two factors viz., five genotypes (NEER, MCS-4, GKVK CHIA-1, MCS-14 and MCS- 19) and two seed lots (2019 and 2020). The field trial comprised of three factors viz., five genotypes, two seed lots and two set of chemical priming (Control and KNO3 @ 0.5% for 12 hours). All vigour test experiments procedure, field emergence, seedling establishment and field emergence index were followed as per standard guidelines. The data were analyzed statistically to find out the result of the study in laboratory and field conditions. The seed quality attributes like moisture content, test weight, seed density, first count, germination per cent, seedling shoot length, seedling root length, total seedling length, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index I and II under standard, stress and seed quality enhancement conditions were recorded significantly higher in seed lot of 2020 chia genotypes. Whereas, electrical conductivity was found significantly higher in 2019 seed lot than 2020 seed lot. Among the genotypes, GKVK CHIA-1 was observed to be superior for all parameter under standard, stress and seed quality enhancement conditions except moisture content, test weight and electrical conductivity. The genotype NEER of 2019 seed lot was found non-viable. Similarly, in field condition, the study showed that seed lot of 2020 and genotype GKVK CHIA-1 recorded significantly higher field emergence, seedling establishment and field emergence index. Significantly positive correlation was found for many parameters of different vigour tests under standard, stress and seed quality enhancement conditions. The present study concluded that the freshly harvested seeds should be preferred to grow the chia crop over two or more years old seeds. On the basis of seed quality parameters, the genotype GKVK CHIA-1 of chia was found to be more vigourous genotype. The chemical priming through KNO3 @ 0.5% for 12 hours was recommended to improve germination and vigour of old chia seeds. The test weight, seed density, radicle emergence, mean daily germination, relative growth index, cold test vigour I, cold test vigour II, cool test vigour I, cool test vigour II and hot water vigour I could be considered as suitable vigour tests for chia.EnglishThesis