Pattern of seed development in rapeseed-mustard genotypes grown under varying seed priming options in lower Gangetic plains of India

The current demand–supply imbalance in India poses a significant challenge to oilseed productivity. Traditional varieties often suffer from low germination, seedling mortality, storage quality loss etc. Identifying the suitable genotype grown through appropriate seed priming can increase rapeseed-mustard productivity. Understanding the seed development pattern is also crucial for successful oilseed cultivation. To investigate the plant growth attributes and seed development pattern of genotypes under the influence of seed priming, a two-year field trial was carried out at District seed farm (A-B Block Farm), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India, during the winter seasons of 2017–18 and 2018–19. The trial used six rapeseed–mustard genotypes in main-plots and four seed developmental stages in sub-plots under various seed priming options, including control (no priming), in a triplicated split-pot design. Mustard genotype ‘Pusa Bold’ treated with KH2PO4 at 0.15 mol recorded highest plant growth attributes, chlorophyll intensity (SPAD unit) in siliqua wall (23.27) and in seed (5.77) and siliqua length (5.75 cm) at 60 days after anthesis (DAA). It recorded maximum siliqua fresh weight (469.3 mg at 50 DAA and 409.1 mg at 60 DAA) and dry weight (97.54 mg at 50 DAA and 83.77 mg at 60 DAA). However, rapeseed genotype ‘Anushka’ treated with KNO3 at 0.1 mol produced maximum seeds siliqua−1 (18.77), followed by KH2PO4 at 0.15 mol at 50 DAA. Seed priming with KH2PO4 to mustard genotype ‘Pusa Bold’ can be recommended for achieving best seed development pattern in lower Gangetic plains of India.