School of Studies in Botany, Vikram University, Ujjain (M.P.) 456010
Increasing the osmotic potential of the imbibition medium from 0 to -6 bars gradually decreased the percentage germination of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link; Eclipta prostrata (L.) L and Celosia argentea L. seeds, Among the three weeds studied Echinochloa was found to be the most tolerant. When the seeds were preimbibed at-10 bars and then transfered to various osmotica a significant rise in percentage germination was observed over those without priming. Root elongation was inhibited to a greater extent when seeds preimbibed over basal in were exposed to osmotic stress. Lack of effect of osmoticum in conjunction with basalin on root extension could be due to reduced uptake under water stress condition.
