Seed fortification with chicory (<italic>Cichorium intybus</italic> L.) leaf extract to enhance seed vigour, viability and productivity in blackgram (<italic>Vigna mungo</italic> L.)

Abstract

Study was carried out to evaluate the effect of herbal fortification of seeds with chicory leaf extract on seed physiological properties related to vigour, viability and yield potential in blackgram cv. ADT 3. The treatment was effected through soaking of one month old seeds with fresh chicory (<italic>Cichorium intybus</italic> L) leaf extract at 10, 20 and 25 per cent concentrations followed by dehydration in a drying chamber at 30° C for three days to reach original moisture content (10 ± 0.25% on wet weight basis). Part of the treated seeds was subjected to artificial and natural ageing process. Treated and aged seeds when evaluated through germination per cent, speed of germination, dry matter production and biochemical properties, significant differences were evident with 20 per cent concentration. The magnitude of reduction after ageing in respect of the aforesaid parameters was more in control and the least in herbal fortified seeds. Treated seeds (20% extract) exhibited higher activity of free radical scavenging enzyme of catalase (2122 units), lower amounts of leachate amino acids (40.15 μg) and lipid peroxidation value (0.144) and also an enhancement in dry weight accumulation (20.23 g), leaf area index (5.35) and net assimilation rate (0.41 mg) leading to higher yield per plant (6.15 g) under field conditions.