Effect of seed priming treatment on cumin [Cuminum cyminum (L.)] seed germination and growth

Abstract

The investigation on the effect of seed priming treatment on cumin [Cuminum cyminum (L.)] seed germination and growth was carried out at Seed Technology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SDAU, Sardarkrushinagar, during Rabi 2019-20. Four varieties were considered, viz., Gujarat Cumin-1, Gujarat Cumin-2, Gujarat Cumin-3 and Gujarat Cumin-4 were obtained from the Centre for Seed Spices Research Station, SDAU, Jagudan. Seeds of four varieties were treated with five treatments: -1.4 MPa PEG, -1.0 MPa PEG, 0.2% KNO3, 0.4% KNO3 and control. The experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomized design with three replications comprising five treatment combinations. The combined effect of pre-sowing seed treatment and varieties showed a significant effect on seed germination and growth of the seedling. The variety GC-4 was superior to the varieties GC-1, GC-2 and GC-3. The laboratory data was collected for the GC-4 variety and T3 treatment (-1.0 MPa PEG) combination. This combination displayed the highest values for all measured characteristics, including germination percentage (80.81%), root length (5.20 cm), shoot length (4.61 cm), seedling length (9.59 cm), seedling fresh weight (216.40 mg), seedling dry weight (11.81 mg), seedling vigour index-I (812.47), and seedling vigour index-II (952.70). These results were significantly correlated when compared to the other treatments. Therefore, it can be concluded that the GC-4 variety and T3 treatment combination resulted in the most robust and healthy seedlings under laboratory conditions.