Abstract
Germination and seed quality of China aster are crucial features that affect seedling survival and establishment when seeded directly in a field. Moreover, freak weather events in changing climate scenarios and biotic stress have often resulted in poor seedling quality and survival of China aster. Subsequently, the impact of a range of priming techniques on germination, seedling survival and growth of cv. Powderpuff of China aster newly introduced in Kashmir valley was scrutinized at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory. Seeds were subjected to two treatment methods (3 hydro-priming and 2 halo-priming), constituting a total of six treatment combinations (T0–T5) in CRD (completely randomized design), with four replications. The analyzed variables were seedling survival percentage, germination percentage, seedling collar diameter, seedling fresh weight, shoot–root ratio and the number of leaves/seedling. The analyzed data on the influence of priming treatments on germination percentage are depicted, showing that different priming agents have a significant influence on pre- and post-germination attributes. Significantly, maximum germination percentage (87.50%), seedling survival percentage (81.95), seedling fresh weight (0.0031 g), seedling collar diameter (0.101 cm), number of leaves seedling−1 (7.01) and shoot–root ratio (1.044) were recorded in treatment T5 (2% KNO3 18 h) and minimum (42.50) in case of control (T0), i.e., un-primed seeds. Halo-conditioning with KNO3 for 12 h significantly improved germination percentage, seedling survival percentage, seedling diameter, leaf number per seedling and shoot–root ratio. In conclusion, KNO3 played a vital role in the establishment and survival of seedlings in the field, under Kashmir conditions.
Highlights
Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees, more commonly known as China aster, and which belongs to the family Asteraceae, is an essential industrial flower crop
Seeds primed with KNO3 accelerated germination percentage, Treatment
The results of our study suggested that halopriming (KNO3 ) accelerated germination percentage, Timson germination index and seedling survival, and significantly enhanced seedling fresh weight, shoot–root ratio as indicated by longer radical lengths and shoot–root dry weight compared to control (Table 3)
Summary
Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees, more commonly known as China aster, and which belongs to the family Asteraceae, is an essential industrial flower crop. It is estimated to be grown in an area of 3500 ha in India [1]. Amongst annual flowers, it ranks third, only after Chrysanthemum and Marigold [2]. In ornamental farming/gardening, it is used as a cut flower, loose flower, a bedding plant, a pot plant and an herbaceous border. It has been extensively grown in South Asia and many other regions. Owing to the ever-increasing demand for quality seeds of Aster throughout India, there is a need to increase seed quality that will ensure
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