Department of Seed Science and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Science, Calcutta University, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Calcutta-700 019, India
Pre-sowing hydration of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds (high-medium vigour) for 6-8h with or without aeration significantly improved field emergence and yield of the crop per unit area over untreated control. Prolonged soaking showed adverse effect on germinability, field performance and productivity. A marginal beneficial effect on yield and yield attributes was noted in the aerated hydration treatment for 6-8h over the non-aerated hydration treatment (6-8h). Among the aerated hydration treatment, 8-12h proved more effective in improving field performance and productivity. The efficacy of aeration (oxygen) on field emergence and yield was more prominent in the long-term soaking duration (24-72h) but never surpassed the value of short-term (6-8h) non-aerated hydration. It may be pointed out that if the storage conditions are reasonably good then short-term pre-sowing hydration for 6-8h with or without aeration followed by light air-drying to facilitate sowing in the field may be suggested for the improvement of crop performances.
Aerated, germinability, hydration, pre-sowing, productivity, wheat
