Seed quality enhancement of oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties through priming

Abstract

Seed priming through modulating water uptake and subsequent dehydration enhances the germination and field emergence. It helps in imparting the initial vigour to the seedlings which is essential for better field performance. Oat is an important rabi fodder cereal and is grown under varying soil/ climate conditions.. In this study, we standardized the priming method and duration for oat seeds. Of the two methods tested for 0-30 h soaking, direct soaking method for 6 h duration was found to be the most suitable for oat seed priming. Four priming treatments viz., hydro-priming, osmo-priming with KNO3, hormone priming with GA3 and vitamin priming with two different doses of Ascorbic acid along with un-primed seeds were studied for their effect on seed quality parameters. The results indicated that priming as such improved the germination, seedling length, dry weight and vigour measured in terms of vigour index-I, II and speed of germination. Among the priming treatments, GA3 followed by Ascorbic acid resulted in better germination and vigour.