Effect of seed hydro-priming durations on germination and seedling growth of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)

Binod Adhikari,Hari Poudel,Sambat Ranabhat,Pankaj Raj Dhital,Craig Eliot Coleman

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0255258

Abstract

The yield and quality of an annual crop are highly dependent on uniform and rapid germination of the seeds. In case of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), the germination and field emergence is always a problem as seeds have thick and hard seed coat. Pre-sowing hydro-priming is one of the most suitable, affordable, easily available, and cost-effective techniques in breaking down seed dormancy to enhance germination. Hence, a field experiment was conducted in Surkhet district of Nepal 2020 to assess the effect of different hydro-priming duration on germination and seedling growth of bitter gourd. The experiment was laid out in single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications and seven treatments including different hydro-priming durations (T0: control, T1: 6 hours, T2: 12 hours, T3: 18 hours, T4: 24 hours, T5: 36 hours and T6: 48 hours) of bitter gourd seeds of Palee variety, the most popular variety among the farmers. The highest water uptake and germination were found in 48 hours of seed hydro-primed seeds whereas the lowest water uptake and germination were observed on non-primed seeds. Similarly, the tallest seedling, most vigorous seedling in terms of seedling vigour index I and II was observed in 48 hours hydro-primed seeds followed by 36 hours of seed hydro-priming and shortest seedling and the least vigorous seedling in control. Thus 48 hours of seed hydro-priming was found to be effective for increasing germination and seedling growth in bitter gourd, which needs to be further investigated under large, open-field conditions with different varieties.

Highlights

Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) is a monoecious annual crop having epigeal germination, which is mostly grown from January to June
The water imbibition increased with increasing hydro-priming durations
Even so, presowing hydro-priming enhances water imbibition leading to enzyme activation, translocation, and utilization of reserved food materials: the findings revealed that the germination and seedling growth is enhanced by hydro-priming (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) is a monoecious annual crop having epigeal germination, which is mostly grown from January to June. It is one of the most important summer vegetables in Nepal, which is cultivated in all ecological belts. The plant requires a warm and hot climate and grows well on sandy loam soil with pH 6.0 to 6.7 [1], and altitude range up to 1000 m with optimal germination and growth at the temperature range of 25– 28 ̊C [2] and 24–27 ̊C [3] respectively. Seed hydro-priming durations, and germination and seedling growth in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion