Effect of electrostatic field on seed quality of chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

Chilli (Capsicum annum), a vital spice and vegetable crop in Indian cuisine, offers numerous health benefits hidden in its seeds. However, seed quality often suffers due to harsh post-harvest handling and storage. To mitigate these losses, seed enhancement techniques are employed, with physical seed treatment being particularly favoured for its cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and environmental safety. This paper presents an experiment conducted in 2023 at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka. Chilli cv (Rudra) seeds with a minimum germination standard of 60% and medium to low vigor were subjected to pre-sowing electrostatic field treatment at five different power capacities and two exposure durations, along with an untreated control group. The results showed a steady increase in seed germination with higher power capacities, peaking at 91% germination at 5 kV for 90 seconds, compared to an initial 63%. Seedling vigor indices, mean seedling length, and seedling dry weight were all highest at 5 kV for 90 seconds. All parameters showed improvement with increased power capacity compared to untreated seeds. Additionally, the percentage of diseased and abnormal seeds decreased with higher power treatments. The most effective treatment was found to be 5 kV for 60 to 90 seconds, improving seed germination by 31%, making the seeds more cost-effective and reliable.