Effect of Seed Pre-sowing Hardening on Physiological Behaviour and Seed Yield of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) Crop |
| |
| Authors: | N C Sinha R P Singh |
| |
| Institution: | Contribution from Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute Jhansi, (India) |
| |
| Abstract: | A field experiment was conducted at Central Research Farm, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi to study the effect of seed pre-sowing hardening on seed emergence, physiological behaviour — and seed yield of berseem ( Trifolium alexandrinum L. Var. S-99-1) crop. For this purpose, seed pre-sowing hardening were made by soaking of seeds in tap water for 24 and 36 hours separately and later dried back to their original weight or left undried. These seeds were sown at two depths (5 and 3 cm) and judged against control (no soaking). Results demonstrated that augmented effect of seed hardening on seed emergence and physiological process responsible for seed yield was recorded in descending order of harden seeds (of 24 hours soaking) > non harden seeds (of 24 hours soaking) > harden seeds (of 36 hours soaking); while non-harden seeds of 36 hours soaking adversely affect the plant growth because of leaching of sugar during excess soaking — an element for reduced seed vigour potential. Seed hardening system developed the strength of seed emergence on account of efficient catabolic process releasing high water soluble sugars needed for efficient germination process. Further this process augmented the absorption mechanism of mineral nutrients (particularly phosphorus and nitrogen with marginal variation in calcium) was quite evident at bloom stage — indicating a high metabolic activity during this period. Performance of seed hardening was effective at 5 cm deep sowing. |
| |
| Keywords: | Seed Pre-sowing hardening Seed emergence Water soluble sugar Nitrogen Phosphorus Calcium |
|
|
