Importance of Bio-Priming on Improving Seed Quality in Chilli (Capsicum Annuum L.)

Abstract

India grows a lot of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), and one of its most valuable commodities is its seed. However, the quality of the seeds is lost if they are stored for the months between harvest and the subsequent sowing. The seeds of Rudra and Byadgi Dabbi varieties were subjected to bio-priming with the Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus and Trichoderma viride on qualitative parameters with seven treatments. The experiment was carried out using CRBD. The culture of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus and Trichoderma viride at 2.5g /l and 5.0g/l concentration were used as pre-sowing bio-priming treatments. From the results it was found that the Bio-priming influenced significantly on the capability of the chilli seedlings with the improved germination percentage of 98.69% (2.5 g P. fluorescens, T1), shoot length 6.53cm (5 g P. fluorescens, T2), root length 7.18cm (5 g T. viride, T6), seedling length 13.43 cm (5 g P. fluorescens, T2) and seedling vigour index 1216.44 (5 g P. fluorescens, T2) in Byadgi Dabbi cultivar and where as in Rudra cultivar recorded germination percentage of 99.75% (T2), shoot length 4.13cm (5 g T. viride, T6), root length 7.38cm (5 g T. viride, T6), seedling length 11.56 cm (5 g T. viride,T6) and seedling vigour index 1140.12 (5 g T. viride, T6) when compared with control. Therefore, bio-priming with Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus and Trichoderma viride are effective in enhancing the quality parameters of seed in chilli.