Effect of Seed Priming Using GA3, KNO3, ZnSO4 on Germination Parameters of Vigna unguiculata

Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), an important legume is a versatile crop, also commonly known as southern pea, black eye pea, crowder pea, lubia, niebe, coupea or Frijole. The establishment of this crop is poor due to poor germination. Seed priming technique helps to overcome this difficulty. There is only less research have been carried out to enhance seed germination in cowpea by seed priming technique. This research paper focuses to study on the effects of different priming agents like GA3 at 20 ppm, 40 ppm and 60 ppm, KNO3 at 1 %, 2%, 3%, ZnSO4 at 1 %, 2%, 3% and hydro priming all in 3 hrs and 6 hrs soaking conditions. The untreated seeds serve as control. The result from the present study revealed that the germination parameters viz., germination value, germination index, imbibition, co-efficient of variation of germination, seed length, root length, seedling length, vigor index were at its maximum for the seeds primed with GA3 at 60 ppm, KNO3 at 2% and ZnSO4 at 2%. Priming of seeds at lower concentration improves the seed germination parameters which in turn increases the yield.