Enhancement of storage potential of seeds and field performance of pea and horse gram by growth retardants

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) and horse gram (Dolichos biflorus L.) seeds pretreated with sodium dikegulac (Na-DK) and Chlorocholine chloride (CCC) significantly reduced the loss of seed germinability under accelerated ageing condition (99.1% RH) at room temperature (28±2 C). Plant performance was found to be much better when they were raised from seeds which underwent pretreatment with the chemicals prior to accelerated ageing treatment. And this was measured in terms of root and shoot length, leaf number and total leaf areaper plant as well as fresh and dry weight of 20 days old field grown plants. Plant potential was also higher in the pretreated samples as evidenced from higher levels of chlorophyll, protein as well as catalase activity in leaves of both the plant species. Considering the changes of all the physiological and biochemical parameters a conclusion is drawn that seed pretreatment with Na-DK and CCC effectively enhanced the storage potential of seeds and field performance of pea and horse gram plants.