Effect of different priming applications on seed germination and seedling growth of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

An experiment was conducted in IAAS, Lamjung to determine the effects of different priming treatments on seed germination and seedling growth of brinjal (var. Purple Long). The experiment was laid out under a single factor completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments and five replications. The seeds of brinjal were primed with distilled water, 10% polyethylene glycol (PEG), 4% Mannitol, 2% sodium chloride (NaCl) and 100 ppm gibberellic acid (GA3) which were compared with non-primed seeds as a control. The seeds of brinjal were primed by direct immersion for 24 hours and were dried for moisture equilibrium recovery after hydration. The result showed that GA3 priming significantly (p<0.05) reduced mean germination time and enhanced germination percentage of brinjal, root length, and vigor index than unprimed brinjal seeds. Priming with distilled water resulted good root length and greater fresh weight of brinjal than other primed and unprimed brinjal seeds. GA3 priming was found better than other treatments as compared to control. Thus, seed priming with GA3 would be beneficial for better seed germination and subsequent growth of seedlings in brinjal.