PRIMING IMPROVES GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF ACCELERATED AGED SEEDS OF TOMATO

Seedprimingisacosteffectivetechniquewhichnot onlyimproves seed germinationbutalsoreduces time of seedlingemergence and improves stand establishment. Thepresent study was conducted to study the effect of various seed priming treatments (Hydration, KNO3 and GA3) on percent germination and growth indices of two tomato cultivars Varkha Bahar-1 and Varkha Bahar-2. Seed priming improved all morphological parameters such as percentage germination, seedling length, seedling fresh and dry weight and vigour index as compared to control.Seed priming with GA3showed more promotry effect followed by KNO3 and hydration at higher concentration. Similarly seed treatment for 48 hrs showed more promotory effect as compared to 24 hrs treatment in both the cultivars at both concentrations although the effect was more pronounced in Varkha Bahar-1 as compared to Varkha Bahar-2.