EFFECT OF THERMAL HARDENING ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOUR OF TOMATO

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of thermal hardening on germination and seedling growth of two tomato cultivars i.e. Nagina and Pakit. Dry heat treatment i.e 50°C and chilling (–19°C), Chilling + Heating, Chilling + Heating + Chilling, Heating + Chilling + Heating treatment each applied for the period of 24h along with a control. The both cultivars responded maximum final germination percentage in case of dry heat treatment applied at 50°C for the period of 24h followed by chilling at -19°C for 24h, while minimum final germination percentage was recorded in case of Heating + Chilling + Heating for 24h. Dry heat treatment at 50°C significantly reduced time taken to 50% germination. Whereas it also gave more GI, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight, where as minimum EC of seed leachates was recorded in dry heat treatment in Nagina as compared to Pakit