Response of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) to different priming treatments on germination and early growth

Production of pepper (Capsicum annuum) is reduced by poor stand as a result of poor germination due to physiological dormancy of the seed. Therefore, a laboratory experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of sweet pepper to pre-sowing treatments, with the objective of improving seed germination and growth. The experiment used Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with four treatments replicated four times. The treatments were pre-soaking in water for 24 hours before planting; pre-chilling at 100C for 7 days before planting; pre-soaking in Potassium nitrate (KNO3) at 2.4g per 1.2 liters distilled water for 24 hours and; untreated seed (control). The parameters measured were days to 50% germination, final germination % (FG%), speed of germination, mean germination time (MGT), radicle, plumule, seedling length, and seedling vigor index. The results showed that the pre-sowing treatment of seed with KNO3 and pre-soaking in water significantly (p < 0.01) increased germination percent of sweet pepper seeds. Pre-chilling and no treatment of sweet pepper seed resulted in significant reduction of final germination percentage, radicle, plumule and seedling lengths and seedling vigor index. Results also showed an increase in number of abnormal and dead seed were pre-chilling and no treatments were used. Basing on these findings, farmers are recommended to pre-soak sweet pepper seed in KNO3 and water before sowing to enhance seed germination.