International Journal of Farm Sciences

Two seed lots viz V ₁ (high vigour seeds) and V₂ (72 hours accelerated aged seeds/low vigour seeds) of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L) cultivar Solan Hara were subjected to osmopriming, halopriming, solid matrix priming and seed soaking in water (farmers’ common practice) to find out the ability of priming treatments in improving seed germination vigour through initiation of metabolic processes and repair of deterioration sustained during ageing. Seed quality parameters like germination percentage, seedling length, dry weight and vigour index I and vigour index II were measured using paper towel and sand method. Overall accelerated ageing reduced the above mentioned quality parameters. However seed priming improved germination in both the vigour groups of seeds through initiation of cell cycle, metabolic repair and reduction in the deleterious effects of ageing. Among all the seed priming treatments solid matrix priming with perlite proved superior for increasing germination and improving other quality attributes followed by solid matrix priming with cocopeat and vermiculite.