Influence of priming and packaging materials on quality attributes of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) seeds

Abstract

African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) is a resilient flowering plant, valued for its vibrant blooms and pestrepellent properties. Seed priming involves pre-sowing treatments to enhance and synchronize germination. In African marigold, seed priming improves germination rates, seedling vigor and uniformity, ensuring more successful growth under varying conditions. Consequently, the present study focused on influence of priming and packaging materials on quality attributes of African marigold seeds. The experiment consisted of six priming treatments, i.e., T1-KNO3 @ 0.1%, T2-KNO3 @ 0.5%, T3-GA3 @ 100 ppm, T4-GA3 @ 500 ppm, T5- hydro priming for 2 h and T6- hydro priming for 6 h, along with untreated control (T7). Seeds were packaged into four distinct packaging materials, viz., C1-cloth bag (130 GSM), C2-yellow paper bag (80 GSM), C3- polythene bag (180 gauge) and C4-aluminium bag (200 gauge). The experiment was laid out in factorial completely randomized design. Result exhibited that after 8 months of storage period, seeds treated with 0.5% KNO3 and stored in aluminium bag (T2C4) recorded the highest relative growth index), while those treated with 500 ppm GA3 and stored in aluminium bag (T4C4) recorded the highest seedling root length (cm), shoot length (cm), seedling fresh weight (mg) and dry weight (mg). Therefore, packaging of African marigold seeds in aluminium bag can effectively maintain seed quality and viability. Additionally, treating seeds with 0.5% KNO3 improves germination, while GA3 at 500 ppm enhances seedling physical attributes. By use of these techniques farmers can achieve healthy plants for quality flower production.