Combined effect of seed treatment on chemical constituents of root exudates in Chilli cv. Plr 1

A well-recognized spice and vegetable crop, chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is prized for its color, flavor and nutritional content. Chillies are frequently grown in warm temperate, tropical and subtropical regions. It is indigenous to tropical South America and is a member of the Solanaceae family. One of the causes of the low chilli output is the slow and irregular germination of chilli seeds. Chilli seeds can germinate slowly and inconsistently for a variety of reasons. The two most important elements are illnesses and pests. Even while many insecticides and fungicides shield plants from diseases, it is impossible to overlook the buildup of residues in the economy and their effects on soil microorganisms, both positive and negative. The present study was conducted to analyze volatile compounds in treated chilli plants. Root exudates were collected and analyzed from 15 and 30 day old seedlings. GC-MS analysis revealed that seedlings treated with seeds produced a greater number of volatile compounds than the control samples. Specifically, treated seedlings emitted volatile compounds such as Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (31.73%), 1-Hexadecanol (25.65%) and Benzaldehyde (16.42%) at 15 days, compared to 32.19% Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester and 26.42% Benzaldehyde in control seedlings. These compounds are known for their antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, germination rates showed a slight improvement in treated seeds (82%) compared to control seeds (80%), while vigor index values for treated seeds were 1148, compared to 1192 for control. Dry matter production was slightly higher in treated seeds (10.8 mg/10 seedlings) versus control (10.2 mg/10 seedlings). Notably, the root exudates of 15-day- old seedlings emitted 65 volatile compounds, significantly more than the 20 compounds emitted by the 30-day-old seedlings. These findings emphasize the dynamic nature of root exudates during early plant development and the potential role of seed treatments in influencing volatile compound profiles.