Dry Weight Of Seedlings Research Articles

Study of Allelopathic Activity of Common Sowthistle Weed (Sonchus oleraceus L.)

The present work was conducted to study the allelopathic activity of Common Sowthistle weed (Sonchusoleraceus L.) belongs to family Asteraceae growing in agricultural fields in Benghazi using Radish(Raphanus sativus L.) as test plant. Flowers, leaves, stems and roots aqueous extracts of Sonchusoleraceus L. at 1%,5% and 10% concentrations were applied to determine their effect on seedgermination, germination index (GI), speed/rate of germination (SG/RG), seedling vigor index (SVI), rootlength (RL), hypocotyle length (HL), seedlings fresh weight (FW) and seedlings dry weight (DW) of Radishunder laboratory conditions. The aqueous extracts of all plant parts caused inhibitory effects on allmeasurement, which increased progressively on increasing the concentration of extracts. On the otherhand, at low concentration (1%) stimulation of some traits of different plant parts was recorded. Theseresults could be explained in the light of the facts that a higher plants release a diversity ofallelochemicals into the environment, which include phenolics, alkaloids, long-chain fatty acids,terpenoids, and flavanoids. The compounds exhibit a wide range of mechanisms of action effect on DNA(alkaloids), photosynthic and mitochondrial function (quinines), phytohorme activity, ion uptake andwater balance (phenolics).

Anaerobic co-digestion of Chinese cabbage waste and cow manure at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures: Digestion performance, microbial community, and biogas slurry fertility

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mixing ratios of Chinese cabbage waste (CCW) and cow manure (CM) on methane yields, microbial community, and biogas slurry fertility during anaerobic co-digestion. Batch experiments were conducted at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures with five different CCW/CM mixing ratios. Methane yields at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures were 4.2–184.4 mL g−1 Volatile solidsadded (mL g−1 VSadded) and 11.8–321.7 mL g−1 VSadded, respectively. The richness and diversity of bacteria and archaea at mesophilic temperatures were higher than those at thermophilic temperatures. Compared with the unfertilized control, the dry weight of corn seedlings with the follow-up application of mesophilic or thermophilic biogas slurry increased by 12.3 %-73.4 % or 16.8 %-43.3 %, respectively. This study demonstrates that thermophilic temperatures are conducive to increasing methane yields, but mesophilic temperatures are conducive to improving the biogas slurry fertility.

Seed priming with different levels and sources of zinc on the seed germination and seedling growth of barnyard millet (Echinocola frumentacea)

Seed priming with zinc increases the seed germination and seedling growth of many crops. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of seed priming with different levels and sources of zinc on seed germination and seedling growth of barnyard millet variety MDU1. A germination experiment was conducted with various Zn sources and concentrations viz., T1- Non-primed seeds (control); T2-water priming; T3-GA3 priming; T4-T6: seed priming with 0.10%, 0.25% & 0.50% ZnSO4 ; T7- T9: seed priming with 0.10%, 0.25% & 0.50% Zn EDTA; T10-T12: seed priming with 0.10%, 0.25% & 0.50% Zn citrate and the experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) which were replicated five times. The seeds of MDU1 variety were treated with different sources and levels of Zn for 12h and the seed germination study was carried out for 15 days. After 15 days, the germination percentage, speed of germination, germination energy, germination index and the seedling growth parameters such as, root length, shoot length, vigour index and seedling dry weight were recorded. Seed priming with 0.50% ZnSO4 performed better in increasing the germination percentage (99%), speed of germination (76.2%), germination energy (69.4%), germination index (3.91) and seedlings growth parameters like shoot length (14.7cm), root length (16.5cm), seedlings dry weight (0.44g), vigour index I (3099) and II (44.6), Zn content (21.9 mg kg-1) & its uptake (5.54 mg g-1). This was closely followed by seed priming of Zn EDTA at 0.25% and Zn citrate at 0.50%. From this study, it can be concluded that seed priming with 0.50% ZnSO4 could be used to improve the germination and seedling growth of barnyard millet which was also economical.

Identification of QTL under Brassinosteroid-Combined Cold Treatment at Seedling Stage in Rice Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS).

Cold stress is a major threat to the sustainability of rice yield. Brassinosteroids (BR) application can enhance cold tolerance in rice. However, the regulatory mechanism related to cold tolerance and the BR signaling pathway in rice has not been clarified. In the current study, the seedling shoot length (SSL), seedling root length (SRL), seedling dry weight (SDW), and seedling wet weight (SWW) were used as the indices for identifying cold tolerance under cold stress and BR-combined cold treatment in a backcross recombinant inbred lines (BRIL) population. According to the phenotypic characterization for cold tolerance and a high-resolution SNP genetic map obtained from the GBS technique, a total of 114 QTLs were identified, of which 27 QTLs were detected under cold stress and 87 QTLs under BR-combined cold treatment. Among them, the intervals of many QTLs were coincident under different treatments, as well as different traits. A total of 13 candidate genes associated with cold tolerance or BR pathway, such as BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT1 (OsBZR1), OsWRKY77, AP2 domain-containing protein, zinc finger proteins, basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein, and auxin-induced protein, were predicted. Among these, the expression levels of 10 candidate genes were identified under different treatments in the parents and representative BRIL individuals. These results were helpful in understanding the regulation relationship between cold tolerance and BR pathway in rice.

Bio-management of rice root-knot nematode, M. graminicola by using various organic amendments and bio-control agents on rice nursery

A screen house experiment was conducted during kharif season, 2020-21 to know the effect of organic amendments and bio-agents (alone and in combination) in comparison with chemical on the population of rice root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) in rice. Nursery was grown in 5 kg soil capacity earthen pan filled with infested soil having initial nematode population 285 J2/200 cc soil. Seeds of the rice (Variety- Pusa 1121) were soaked in tap water for 24 h and the sprouted seeds were sown in pots. Hundred seeds of rice were sown in each pot and each treatment was replicated four times. Organic amendments (neem cake and FYM) and bio-agents (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Purpureocillium lilacinum and Trichoderma viride) were added 10 days before sowing. Weighted amount of bio-agents was mixed in neem cake and FYM for enrichment with 7-10 days waiting period. Carbofuran (Furadan 3G) was added at time of sowing. The earthen pots without organic amendments, bio-agents and chemical were treated as control. Observations on plant growth parameters (seedling length in cm fresh and dry seedling weight in g) and nematode multiplication (number of galls/20 seedling, number of eggs/20 seedling and final nematode population in the soil/200 cc soil) were made at transplanting time. The plant parameters were maximum and significantly highest in treated nursery (neem cake @ 50 g/pot + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 50 g/pot) under screen house conditions. Nematode reproduction and multiplication parameters such as number of galls/seedling, number of eggs/seedling and final nematode population were significantly reduced in neem cake @ 50 g/pot + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 50 g/pot.

The Effect of Different Salt Concentrations on Germination and Emergence of Some Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Variety

Bu çalışma; aspir çeşitlerinin çimlenme ve çıkış dönemlerinde tuz (NaCl) stresine karşı tepkilerini belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Denemede Asol, Balcı, Dinçer, Linas ve Olas çeşitleri materyal olarak kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada aspir tohumlarına çimlenme ve çıkış döneminde saf su (kontrol) ile 3 farklı NaCl (100 mM, 200 mM ve 300 mM) dozu uygulanmıştır. Çimlenme denemesi, petri kaplarında tesadüf parselleri faktöriyel deneme desenine göre 4 tekerrürlü olarak iklim dolabında karanlıkta (25 °C) yürütülmüştür. Çıkış denemesi ise torf (3/4), perlit (1/4) karışımı ile doldurulan kaplarda yürütülmüştür.
 Sonuç olarak; aspir çeşitlerinin çimlenme oranı %69-100, hassaslık indeksi 1.00-1.67, çıkış oranı %5.00-97.50, fide uzunluğu 13.4-115.9 mm, yaş fide ağırlığı 0.077-0.476 g, yaş kök ağırlığı 0.11-0.061 g, tuza tolerans yüzdesi %11.4-28.6 arasında tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca ortalama çimlenme süresi (gün), çimlenme indeksi, ortalama çıkış süresi (gün), kök uzunluğu (mm), kuru fide ağırlığı (g), kuru kök ağırlığı (g), ve çıkış indeksi özellikleri de incelenmiştir. Deneme sonucunda; tuz dozlarının artmasıyla birlikte çimlenme süresi, (gün) hassaslık indeksi ve ortalama çıkış süresi (gün) değerleri önemli ölçüde artmıştır. Çimlenme indeksi, çıkış oranı (%), fide uzunluğu (mm), kök uzunluğu (mm), yaş fide ağırlığı (g), yaş kök ağırlığı (g), kuru fide ağırlığı (g), kuru kök ağırlığı (g), tuza tolerans yüzdesi (%), ve çıkış indeksi gibi değerler azalmıştır.

Conferring of drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes using seedling indices.

Wheat is the most widely grown and consumed crop because of its economic and social benefits. This crop is more important globally for food and feed, and its productivity is particularly vulnerable to abiotic factors. In this study, 40 wheat genotypes were studied to access the drought tolerance level using completely randomized design (CRD) in 250 ml disposable cups through morpho–physiological attributes at seedling stage. The wheat germplasm was tested under normal and two drought stress level D1 (50% field capacity) and D2 (75% field capacity) for different seedling attributes such as germination percentage (GP), chlorophyll content (CC), shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), root fresh weight (RFW), seedling fresh weight (SDFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), relative water content (RWC), root/shoot ratio (RS), and seedling dry weight (SeDW). The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and spider analysis indicate that significant amount of genetic variation was present and behavior of studied germplasm showed different behavior in different environment. The correlation analysis showed that root length has significantly positive association with root/shoot ratio, dry weight, and fresh weight while negatively correlated with shoot length and relative water content. Based on the positively associated traits, the studied genetic material would improve genetic gain for drought tolerance. The multivariate analysis showed that out 13 principal components only five PCs were significant and has eigenvalue > 1, cumulatively showed 82.33, 83.07, and 97.34% of total variation under normal, D1 and D2 conditions, respectively. Significantly, the result of spider graph and multivariate analysis showed that genotypes G47, G48, G65, G68, and G80 performed well in all drought stress conditions and considered as drought-tolerant genotypes. The best performing genotypes can be used in future breeding programs. The selection on the bases of studied attributes is effective for development of drought-tolerant and high-yielding varieties for sustainable food security.

Effect of different concentrations of pyrethroid and organophosphorus pesticides on seedling growth of Cicer arietinum

Seed treatment with pesticides is one of the components of IPM. Pesticides, the chemical ingredients are generally used to assassinate biological entities that cause damage to cultivated crops. To maintain the quantity and quality of the plant produce, a large number of chemicals in the form of pesticides and/or fungicides are sprayed on them. Although these compounds affect the growth of seedlings and also negatively influence the growth of symbiotic bacteria and their interaction with crop plants resulting in a reduction in nitrogen fixation by plants and ultimately yield. A study on the consequences of chemical pesticides on seed germination and seedling growth of Cicer arietinum was carried out at Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India in 2016. The present study was done to assess the effect of pesticides on root length, shoot length, leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight of seedlings. The experiment was conducted by using different concentrations viz., 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% of organophosphorus monocrotophos and pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin. Observations were done on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of radicle emergence. The study showed that both types of pesticides such as pyrethroid deltamethrin and organophosphorus monocrotophos were found to be toxic to plants in high concentrations and can be preferred in low concentrations only like 0.5%, which is less harmful to crop plants. SAARC J. Agric., 20(1): 55-65 (2022)

Screening Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) Genotypes for Salt Tolerance at Germination and Seedling Stages

Aim: Salt stress negatively affects the growth and development of plants. An effective and important strategy to develop salinity tolerant crops is to harness the genetic diversity within the crop germplasm by identification of salinity tolerant genotype. The present study was carried out with an objective to screen blackgram genotypes (A31, DPU 968, KU 7720, LBG 787, PLU 621, TMV 1, Tutiminimum, VBG 18028, VBG 18032, and VBN 2) for salt tolerance at germination and seedlings stage and identification of saline tolerant blackgram genotype based on salt stress tolerance indices.
 Study Design: Factorial and arranged in a completely randomized design.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore; May-June 2022.
 Methodology: Using petriplate and roll towel techniques, blackgram seed germination indices and seedling growth indices such as germination percentage, germination index, mean germination time, seedling vigour index, shoot and root length, fresh and dry seedling weight, and stress tolerance indices were recorded. Two-way ANOVA, Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Heat-map Analysis were used to analyze the data.
 Results: PCA indicates that salinity stress accounted for 86.2 percent of the variation, whereas the individual genotype contributes only 5.4 percent of the variation observed in germination and growth parameters that were studied in blackgram under control and 130mM NaCl salt stress conditions. Among the ten blackgram genotypes, stress tolerance index was highest for LBG 787 (0.831) followed by KU7720 (0.722). On the other side, the stress susceptible index was found to be lower for the blackgram genotype KU7720 (0.335) followed by LBG 787 (0.592), as compared to other genotypes screened. Cluster heat-map analysis for all the measured parameters revealed that blackgram genotype LBG 787 was clustered with PLU 621 and VBG 18028 and found to tolerate the salt stress level (130mM NaCl stress) compared to other blackgram genotypes.
 Conclusion: Observations indicate that the blackgram genotypes KU 7720, LBG 787, PLU 621 and VBG 18028 exhibit greater tolerance towards salinity during the germination and seedling growth stages.

Effects of nitrogen reduction combined with organic fertilizer on growth and nitrogen fate in banana at seedling stage

Nitrogen reduction combined with organic fertilizer is of considerable significance for the sustainable development of agriculture. A pot experiment using nitrogen reduction combined with organic fertilizer was conducted to explore the effects of different treatments on matter accumulation, physiological resistance, and fertilizer nitrogen fate in banana seedlings. Compared with conventional fertilization, a 20% reduction of nitrogen did not affect the dry weight, chlorophyll content, physiological resistance, and fertilizer utilization rate of banana seedlings, but significantly reduced the nitrogen leaching loss and increased the nitrogen soil residue. Compared with conventional fertilization, organic nitrogen substituting 20% or 30% of the nitrogen reduced by 20% significantly promoted dry matter accumulation and physiological resistance. Organic nitrogen substituting 30% of the 20% reduction of nitrogen increased the dry matter of the whole plant by 24.94%, the nitrogen uptake in the root by 30.87%, the chlorophyll content by 6.05%, the soluble sugar content by 16.88%, Peroxidase (POD) activity by 26.35%, Catalase (CAT) activity by 27.48%, and Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) activity by 22.97%. Compared with conventional fertilization, all organic substitution treatments significantly reduced fertilizer nitrogen leaching loss, apparent loss, and increased nitrogen soil residue. Compared with the 20% reduction of nitrogen, organic nitrogen substituting 30% of the 20% reduction of nitrogen significantly increased nitrogen utilization by 16.34% and soil residue rate by 13.26%, and reduced nitrogen leaching loss by 35.46%. The results of the present study revealed that a 20% reduction of nitrogen fertilizer with a 30% organic substitution application promoted matter accumulation, enhanced the physiological resistance of banana seedlings, increased the utilization and residue of nitrogen fertilizer, and reduced nitrogen pollution.

Evaluation of compost prepared from Prosopis and Alhagi plants as a medium and fertilizer for seedlings, growth and yield of tomato

For clean a agriculture and a safe environment, this study was conducted, which included the preparation of a compost from Prosopis fracta and Alhagi maurorum plants, and evaluation Its as a medium for tomato seedlings production comparing it with peat moss, and as an organic fertilizer in comparison with a number of organic fertilizers - poultry wastes, cow with sheep wastes and spent mushroom compost residues, the results showed the superiority of the prepared compost over the peat moss in the speed and percentage of germination, plant height, and dry vegetative weight of tomato seedlings with a percentage increase of these traits amounted to 27.27%, 8.13%, 52.46% and 33.20%, respectively.. The results of evaluating compost as an organic fertilizer showed that the two treatments of poultry and compost were superior to mushroom residues, the mixture of cow and sheep manure in chlorophyll content, dry vegetative weight and fruit yield, as the chlorophyll content reached 52, 51, 48 and 50 SPAD, the dry vegetable weight of 776, 761, 633 and 643 g plant-1, the total yield of fruits 11.6, 11.1, 6.6 and 8.3 kg plant-1. The results of chlorophyll, dry vegetative weight of plants and total fruit yield of the combination of organic fertilizers - poultry wastes, compost, mushroom residues, and mixture of cow and sheep wastes- with 1/2 amount of chemical fertilizer NPK amount of 66 , 64, 57, 63 SPAD, 1125, 1123, 1076 and 1081 gm plant-1, 15.8, 15.7, 14.9 and 15.3 kg plant-1 respectively.

Rapid germination and development of Acacia sieberiana DC in vitro

Acacia sieberiana is an ecological and economical important forest tree. The plant has poor germination due to dormancy; therefore, in vitro culture can provide a fast supply of plantlets and can be a basis for further biotechnology research. The effect of sodium hypochlorite, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, sucrose and cytokinin were investigated. The results indicated that all the treatments induced significant (P < 0.05) effects on germination and seedling development depending on their concentrations. Germinates free of contamination were established successfully with all the concentrations of sodium hypochlorite, however, the germination was reduced as the concentration increased. A higher germination rate of 98.3% was attained with full MS strength and 3% sucrose concentration. The highest germination percentage obtained was 100% with 2 mg/L thidiazuron. The maximum shoot length (13.5 cm) and seedling dry weight (0.49 g) were recorded on full MS medium while the maximum root length (13.4 cm) was obtained on ½ MS strength. However, when full MS medium augmented with 5% sucrose enhanced shoot length and dry weight to (14.2 cm) and (0.5 g), respectively. While the highest root length (10.2 cm) was obtained by 3% provided in full MS medium. Application of cytokinins improved the number of node and dry weight of seedlings to 6.9 nodes with 4 mg/L thidiazuron and 0.54 g by 2 mg/L benzyladenine. The present study describes the establishment of in vitro seed germination and seedling growth system for A. sieberiana for the first time.

Ectomycorrhiza-hydrogel additive enhanced growth of Norway spruce seedlings in a nutrient-poor peat substrate

Seedling quality is an important input affecting the outplanted seedling performance. Morphological attributes and association with symbiotic ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi belong to influential traits determining seedling quality. In this study, the effect of pre-sowing applied commercial additives Ectovit (containing hydrogel and ECM fungi), Mycorrhizaroots (ECM fungi and nutrients) and Vetozen (natural mineral fertilizer) on the growth and ectomycorrhiza formation of Norway spruce seedlings grown in nutrient-poor pure peat in an open nursery site was assessed. Two-year-old bareroot seedlings were transplanted into containers. No significant growth differences were detected between treatments for 1 + 0 seedlings but the values of growth parameters (root collar diameter; stem height; shoot, root and total dry weight) of Ectovit-inoculated seedlings were significantly higher than those in the other treatments including the control after the second (2 + 0 seedlings) and the third growing season (2 + 1). Root-to-shoot dry weight ratio and number of root tips were distinctly higher after the third year compared to the previous two years but they were not significantly different between treatments. Mycorrhizaroots and Vetozen did not have any significant effect on seedling development. Although the occurrence of treatment-specific ECM morphotype was detected in Ectovit-inoculated seedlings, the high total ECM colonization of roots in all treatments including the control indicated a crucial impact of naturally occurring fungi on ectomycorrhiza formation.

Effect of Seed Priming of Two Stored Sudangrass Genotypes on Seed Germination, Seedling Vigor, Growth and Forage Yield and Its Component

Seed priming is a technique, which could improve the germination and establishment on the seeds, which were stored for 1.5 years under normal conditions. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of different seed priming techniques, through un-soaked seed (control), Hydro-priming (soaked with distill water), 25 ppm of salicylic acid, 1.5% of Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and 3% of Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) for 10 hours on seed germination%, seedling vigor and forage yield of two sudangrass genotypes (Piper black and Giza1). Two experiments (laboratory and field) were conducted at Sakha Agric. Res. Station, ARC, Egypt, during the two successive summer seasons 2019 and 2020.The results obtained indicated that 25 ppm of salicylic acid followed by 1.5% of CaCl2 and 3% of KH2PO4 treatments significantly affected on seed germination percentage, shoot and root length, fresh and dry seedling weight, seed vigor index, seedling vigor index, electrical conductivity and forage yield. Piper black genotypes were the highest in seed germination percentage, seed vigor index and seedling dry weight, but it was the lowest of electrical conductivity. It could be concluded that seed priming may serve as an appropriate treatment for accelerating the emergence so improve cutting and forage yield of sudangrass genotypes under study. Significant differences for fresh yield ton /hectare and piper black had higher fresh, dry and total yield ton /hectare than Giza1. Seed priming had highly significant differences at all cuts in the two seasons and SA25 ppm Salsilc acid treatment had superior and the highest dry yield in the two seasons, while control treatment was the lowest dry yield. Technique of seed priming led to improving germination, seedling characters, and forage yield under experiment conditions in comparison to non-primed seed (dry seed) in sudangrass seed stored for 1.5 years. Salicylic acid with 25 ppm had the highest values followed by1.5% of CaCl2 and 3% of KH2PO4 in the field conditions. Piper black genotype was the best as compared with Giza1 genotype, which gave the highest seed germination %, seedling vigor and viability. May be recommended for hydropriming seeds for 10 hours in water, which led to an increase in the total fresh yield by 30%, the highest seed germination percentage (94.00 and 92.50%), seed vigor index (20.79 and 19.84) and seedling vigor index (2194.11 and 2236.47) as practical seeds about 10 hours treatment.

Effects of Bacillus cereus on Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Metabolism of Cucumber Seedlings under Salt Stress

Soil salinization is the leading environmental factor that restricts crop growth. This study studied the effects of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) on growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant metabolism in salt stressed-cucumber seedlings. The results showed that B. cereus could maintain high activity in the high salt environment (4% NaCl). B. cereus significantly increased plant height, stem diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight of cucumber seedlings under salt stress, and increased root vitality, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and transpiration rate (Tr) of cucumber seedlings under salt stress. B. cereus significantly increased the maximum photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), the actual photochemical quantum yield (ΦPSII), and the quantum yield of regulatory energy dissipation Y (NPQ) under salt stress, which were 9.31%, 20.44%, and 5.22% higher than those under salt stress, respectively. The quantum yield of non-regulatory energy dissipation Y (NO) was reduced by 19.81%. Superoxidase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities in leaves and roots of cucumber seedlings were significantly increased by B. cereus under salt stress. Compared with salt stress, SOD activities in leaves were significantly increased by 1.70% and 6.32% on the first and third days after treatment. At 1 d, 3 d, and 5 d after treatment, SOD activity in roots increased by 3.06%, 11.24%, and 3.00%, POD activity in leaves increased by 113.38%, 38.81%, and 52.89%, respectively. The POD activity in roots increased by 56.79% and 10.92% on the third and fifth days after treatment, the CAT activity in leaves increased by 8.50% and 25.55%, and the CAT activity in roots increased by 30.59% and 84.45%. Under salt stress, the H2O2 and MDA contents of seedlings treated with B. cereus decreased significantly. Compared with salt stress, the proline content in leaves decreased by 12.69%, 3.90%, and 13.12% at 1 d, 3 d, and 5 d, respectively, while the proline content in roots decreased by 44.94% and 60.08% at 3 d and 5 d, respectively. These results indicated that B. cereus could alleviate salt-induced inhibition of growth and photosynthesis by regulating antioxidant metabolism of cucumber seedlings and thus enhancing salt tolerance of cucumber seedlings.

Effect of priming treatments on germination and seedling growth of artificially aged seed of guava (Psidium guajava)

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of priming treatments on artificially aged seed germination and seedling growth of guava (Psidium guajava L.) at Department of Seed Science and Technology, CCS Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar during 2019–20. It is comprised 21 treatments in complete randomize design with three replications. There were five priming methods with different treatments under study i.e. tap water, GA3 (at 500, 700 and 1000 ppm concentration), KNO3 (at 0.5 and 1% concentration), thiourea (at 0.5 and 1% concentration) and HCl (at 5% and 10% for 2 and 4 min). Duration of tap water, GA3, KNO3 and thiourea soaking was kept 24 and 48 hours. The study revealed that priming the artificially aged seeds in KNO3 greatly increased germination, especially soaking of artificially aged seeds in KNO3 at 1% for 48 h which shows up to 45.0% germination. Parameter like germination%, mean germination time, seedling length, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour were positively affected by all the priming treatments. Artificially aged seed viability decreased but the standard germination efficiently increased due to priming treatments. KNO3 at 1% for 48 h improved germination and resulted in maximum dry weight of seedling (206.0 mg), seedling length (4.16 cm) and vigour index I and II (187.0 and 9271.0) in laboratory. Artificially aged seeds without any priming treatments showed poor growth and germination.

Single count of radicle emergence and mean germination time estimate seed vigour of Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus)

This research explored the relationship between a single count of radicle emergence (RE) and mean germination time (MGT) with seed vigour for Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus) (CMV), a globally important legume used as a forage, green manure, and rotation crop. Fourteen seed lots of CMV were used to determine standard germination (SG), RE and MGT in the laboratory. Field experiments were conducted at two sites to measure the emergence performance including field emergence (FE), seedling dry weight (SDW) and simplified vigour index (SVI). The SG ranged from 89.0 to 95.5% and was not significantly correlated with field performance at either of two sites. However, both a single count of RE at 20 hours and MGT were highly predictive of FE, SDW and SVI at both sites (R2ranged from 0.612 to 0.897 for RE; 0.604 to 0.870 for MGT). The RE was positively related to field performance while MGT was negatively related. The seed lots with lower RE at 20 hours had lower FE and higher MGT. Overall, both RE at 20 hours and MGT are suitable indices for the vigour evaluation of CMV. However, a single count of RE is more accurate, quick and convenient.

Studies on Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis for Seedling Vigour Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The research work was undertaken in Kharif, 2019 at Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, PJTS Agriculture University, to identify lines with good vigour and high yield. Analysis of variance revealed existence of significant differences among the genotypes. Dry weight of seedling followed by seedling vigour index-II had showed high PCV and GCV. Germination (%) -first count, length of shoot, length of root, dry weight of seedling, seedling vigour index-I, seedling vigour index-II and field emergence exhibited high heritability along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean. Length of seedling, seedling vigour index-II and germination (%) -first count exhibited the high positive direct effect on per plant grain yield. Among all the traits Seedling vigour index-II and dry weight of seedling has shown high variability, correlation and cause effect analysis. Therefore, these traits have to be given importance during selection process for identification of high vigour rice lines.

Comparative Efficacy of Biological, Botanical and Chemical Treatments Against Damping Off Disease of Tomato in Chitwan

A field experiment on “Comparative Efficacy of Biological, Botanical and Chemical Seed Treatments against Damping Off Disease of Tomato in Bhojad, Chitwan” was conducted from 1st October to 1st November 2020. The test was placed on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments and four responses. The treatments were included Trichoderma harzianium (107 cfu ml-1) as a bio control agent, Bavistin (2g/litre of water) as chemical treatments and Neem extract as botanical treatments. The germination percentage, pre, and post-emergence damping-off, plant height, root weight and shoot weight, dry root and dry shoot weight of tomato seedlings were recorded. There was a significant increment in germination percentage (86.25%), reduction in pre and post disease incidence (23% and 5.16%), highest plant height (41.20 cm), highest fresh root weight, and fresh shoot weight (0.9725g and 12.300g), highest dry root and dry shoot weight (0.1975g and 1.393g) respectively were found when the Bavistin treatment was given however Trichoderma harzianum (107 cfu ml-1) treatment was also found significantly effective for controlling damping-off of tomato as compared to control which is non-hazardous to environment and the human being so, is suggested to use for organic agriculture. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 9, Issue-2: 67-74.

EFFECT OF SEED PRIMING AND PELLETING ON GERMINATION AND GROWTH BEHAVIOUR OF COCK’S COMB (Celosia cristata L.) SEEDLING

Considering the goal to achieve uniform and synchronize germination in Cock’s comb, present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of seed priming and pelleting on seed germination. Seven treatments based on various priming techniques (hydropriming+ priming with moringa leaf extract) and different compositions of pelleting materials (gum arabic+bentonite + moringa leaf powder) were used to evaluate the germination and growth behavior of Cock’s comb (Celosia cristata L.). The experiment was laid out according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and the difference among treatment means were compared by using Tuckey’s test at 5% probability level. Data regarding various parameters like time to taken first germination, time to taken 50% germination, mean germination time, final germination percentage, germination energy, germination index, vigor index, root length, shoot length, root to shoot ratio, seedlings fresh weight and seedlings dry weight was recorded. Time to take first germination (3.25days), root length (3.27cm), vigor index (22.00), germination energy (8.75%),Time to take 50% germination (8.25), height of seedling (5.27cm) and number of leaves (9.00 count) were recorded maximum in T3 (Priming with 3% moringa leaf solution treatment) whereas final germination percentage (20.50%), germination index (3.55), shoot length (4.10cm), seedling fresh (4.85g) and dry weight (1.58g) were reported maximum in T5 (coating with 75% Bentonite + 50% Gum Arabic treatment). Control treatment showed minimum results in this experiment, So it can be concluded that seed priming and seed palleting both are highly effective to enhance uniform and rapid seed germination and growth quality in Cock’s comb. Such studies on priming and pelleting will be productive to enhance the rate of seedling emergence, to harmonize uniform flower growth along with flourishing developmental attributes even under extreme climatic conditions and in problematic soils. This investigation will also be helpful to synchronize seed germination and improve vigor at commercial level leading towards better crop establishment and yield.