Improvement in emergence of bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.) seedlings by presowing treatments

摘要

The major problem among vegetable growers is poor and slow emergence of bittergourd seedlings during early spring in north-western India due to prevailing sub-optimal temperatures. In addition, thick seed coat enclosing embryo, affect germination by imposing mechanical restriction on embryo growth (Edelstein et al., 3). Seed priming entails the hydration of seed using osmoticum, inorganic salts, inorganic and organic carriers or simple water followed by redrying to permit routine handling of the seeds. Priming, thus permits partial hydration so that the pre-germinative metabolic activities are initiated, while radicle protrusion is prevented (Pill, 9). This treatment is followed by drying of the seed to its original moisture content and stored and planted by conventional techniques.