Standardization of priming treatments for enhancement of seed germination and field emergence in carrot

Abstract

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) seeds were subjected to solid matrix priming with moist vermiculite at 15°C and 20°C for 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. Seeds were also osmoprimed at -0.5, -1.0 and -1.5 MPa potential for 2, 4 and 6 days. Solid matrix priming for 24 h registered significantly higher seed germination (85%) and speed of germination (14.45), while priming duration of 48 h gave minimum value for speed of germination. However, no significant differences in speed of germination were found at different temperatures. Solid matrix priming for 24 h at 20°C was optimum for obtaining maximum speed of germination (14.67) and vigour index I (821.5). With increase in priming duration from 2 to 6 days, there was significant decrease in germination. Osmopriming at -1.0 MPa PEG potential significantly improved speed of germination (7.07) and was at par to PEG priming at -0.5 MPa. Osmopriming for 2 days at -1.0 MPa PEG potential recorded maximum speed of germination (9.24) over all other treatment combinations. Osmopriming at -1.0 MPa and solid matrix priming for 24 h at 20°C improved germination and field emergence over control in carrot. Hence, osmopriming and solid matrix priming can be effectively employed for improved field performance in carrot.