Effect of pre-sown electrical stimulus of seed on growth and yield of ridge gourd (Luffa Acutangula Roxb.) and snake gourd (Trichosanthes Anguina L.)

Pre-sowing electric current treatment of seed has been recognized as an innovative tool for yield improvement in field crops. Different intensities of electrical stimulus (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mA and 0, 100, 200, and 300 mA) were applied to the seeds of ridge gourd and snake gourd respectively for three minutes before sowing. It was observed that electrical stimulus influences different growth and yield parameters in these crops. 150mA intensity electrical stimulus for three minutes duration was found to be optimum for increasing yield in ridge gourd. But, improvement of yield in snake gourd was achieved when seeds were treated with 200 mA of electrical stimulus for three minutes.