Standardization of seed hydro-priming duration in bitter gourd, Momordica charantia l.

Presowing seed priming helps to improve germination and stand establishment. However, before priming the seeds, it is important to establish the safe limits of priming durations. The present study was therefore carried out to standardize seed priming durations for bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). Seeds of bitter gourd cultivar Solan Hara were hydro-primed at 20°C between wet germination papers for different durations keeping unprimed seeds as control. Seeds were weighed after treatment to calculate amount of water imbibed. Further seeds were dried back to its original moisture content and evaluated for seed quality parameters. The plateau phase (Phase-II) with little change in water content from 53.3 to 57.3% (after 24 hours to 72 hours of seed priming) found as seed priming regime for bitter gourd. Significantly higher speed of germination, total% germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour index-I and II were recorded in hydro-priming for 72 hours as compared to other durations and control. Based on seed priming regime i.e. phase-II of seed germination and performance with respect to seed quality parameters it was found that 72 hours of seed priming is optimum in bitter gourd.