Potassium Nitrate Priming Affects the Activity of Nitrate Reductase and Chlorophyll Content in Late Sown Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Three varieties of Sesamum indicum L. viz., T-4, T-12 and Shekhar were primed with varying concentrations of nitrate salts i.e. KNO₃(10mM, 15mM) along with distilled water primed or hydroprimed as control. The observation were recorded at 15, 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS) for the evaluation of nitrate reductase activity and chlorophyll content. Among treatments seed primed with 15mM KNO₃ showed increased NR activity and chlorophyll content. Highest NR activity, 280.65 (n mol NO ²h > g-¹ leaf fresh weight) and chlorophyll content, 40.30 (SPAD unit) was obtained in T-4 variety in respect to T-12 and Shekhar. However, all the varieties showed significant results in 15mM KNO₃ primed seeds as compared to 10mM KNO₃ and control (hydroprimed). Among treatments 15 mM KNO₃ primed seeds showed better performance in respect to chlorophyll content and nitrate reductase (NR) activity. Thus, this treatment could be beneficial for cultivation of sesame under late sown condition.