Impact of Pre- Sowing Seed Treatments on Seed Quality Attributes and Pod Yield in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Present investigation was undertaken to know the effect of pre-sowing seed treatments on seed quality and yield of groundnut genotype VLG1. Two seed lots of groundnut viz. fresh (high vigour) and revalidated seed (low vigour) were subjected and their efficacy was evaluated during Kharif season. Pre-sowing seed invigoration by hydration for 16 h and air drying at room temperature followed by dressing with Thiram 75% D.S @ 0.25 per cent registered consistently and significantly higher pod yield than untreated seeds in both lots. The higher pod yield resulted from significantly improved germination, speed of emergence, per cent field emergence, ultimately the better crop establishment and in turn higher plant stand. The beneficial effects of hydration followed by Thiram dressing were more pronounced in the low vigour seed lot (revalidated) than in the high vigour lot (fresh)