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Dormancy Breaking of Ash Gourd Seed Through Different Physical and Chemical Methods

M.S. Rahman
Principal Scientific Officer
Seed Technology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh

P.C. Sarker
Senior Scientific Officer
Seed Technology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh

M.N. Islam
Scientific Officer
Seed Technology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh

M.R. Shaheb
Senior scientific officer
On Farm Research Division, BARI, Sylhet, Bangladesh

M.H. Sarker
Scientific Officer
Farm Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In this study we applied different physical and chemical methods to break dormancy of ash gourd seed in the Laboratory of Seed Technology Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh during the period from September 2009 to May 2010. The experiment was conducted by laying out in a complete randomized design using seed germinator and oven dryer for germination and vigor tests. The two factorial experiment was subjected to the following treatments viz., factor A: three storage periods viz., S₁: 1 month, S₂: 4 month and S₃: 7 months storage of seeds and factor B: seven physical and chemical seed treating methods viz., T₁: hitting the seeds on a concrete floor from 1 meter height at 10 times, T₂: cooling in deep freeze for 2 days, T₃: cooling in deep freeze for 4 days and T₄: cooling in deep freeze for 6 days, T₅: 0.2% KNO₃, T₆: 0.4% KNO₃, T₇: 0.6% KNO₃, and T₈: control treatments were tested. Results revealed that physical and chemical methods, storage period and their interactions showed significant influence on releasing seed dormancy in terms of seed germination. Studies indicated that maximum seed germination (78.67%) was observed with the treatment of 0.4% KNO₃ up to 7 months storage of seeds along with maximum vigor index (2.13) of ash gourd.

Keywords: Seed dormancy, KNO3, Ash gourd, Seed germination, Vigour index

Location: Laboratory of Seed Technology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-09-2009

End Date: 00-05-2010

Program Area: Seed Technology

Commodity: Ash gourd

Objectives:

To find out appropriate technique of breaking seed dormancy of ash gourd.

Methodology:

Experimental site and materials: The experiment was conducted in the Laboratory of Seed Technology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh during September 2009 to May 2010. The variety of ash gourd was BARI Chalkumra-1. Freshly collected seeds of ash gourd were dried well (moisture content around 8%) and stored in a tin container with polythene bag under ambient condition for several months at ambient temperature were used in the experiment. The experiment was conducted by laying out in a complete randomized design using seed germinator and oven dryer for germination and vigor tests. Experimental treatments and brief description of the seed treating methods: The two factorial experiment was conducted with the following treatments viz., factor A: three storage periods viz., S₁: 1 month, S₂: 4 month and S₃: 7 months storage of seeds and factor B: seven physical and chemical seed treating methods viz., T₁: hitting the seeds on a pucca (concrete) floor from 1 meter height at 10 times, T₂: cooling in deep freeze for 2 days, T₃: cooling in deep freeze for 4 days and T₄: cooling in deep freeze for 6 days, T₅: 0.2% KNO₃, T₆: 0.4% KNO₃, T₇: 0.6% KNO₃, and T₈: control were tested in this experiment. The temperature of deep freeze was around 5^oC. KNO₃, is a widely adapted dormancy breaking chemical agent and it is comparatively cheap compared to other seed treating chemical and also available in the urban market in Bangladesh. To prepare these, potassium nitrate (KNO₃) test solutions were prepared by dissolving 20 g of KNO₃ in distilled water and volume was made up to 1000 ml. From the stock solution, further dilutions were made according to the requirement of three different concentrations 0.2(%), 0.4(%), 0.6(%) by using distilled water. Working procedures: Seeds of different months of storage were subjected to break dormancy by the above mentioned physical and chemical methods. The physical methods were accomplished by hitting the seeds on a pucca (concrete) floor at around 25-30^oC for 3 hours that was followed by 10 times, cooling in deep freeze for 2 days, cooling in deep freeze for 4 days and cooling in deep freeze for 6 days. The temperature of deep freeze was around 5^oC. For chemical treatment, seeds were soaked in KNO³ solution at three different concentrations of 0.2(%), 0.4(%), 0.6(%) for 24 hrs. All the methods were imposed at every 1, 4 and 7 months of storage of seeds. Hundred seeds in four replicates, for every treatment were used and tested for germination and vigor index. Data on germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigor index etc. were recorded on the treated seedlings grown inside seed germinator. Daily radicle emergence was recorded for 14 consecutive days to record of seed germination and the temperature was 28±2^oC during the germination period. Seedlings of ash gourd were dried in an oven at 70^oC for 72 hours. Data recording: Seed germination (%): The seeds were tested for germination by adopting BP method as per ISTA. Seedling vigour index: Seedling Vigour Index (SVI) was measured and calculated by adopting the method. Statistical analysis: Recorded data were analyzed statistically with the help of MSTAT-C software. Treatment means were compared following Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.

Source of Information: Int. J. Sustain. Crop Prod. 9(2):1-6, 2014

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Pre-sowing seed treatments for breaking dormancy of ash gourd result in higher germination and earlier seedling emergence, strong growth, early flowering, maturity and high yields. However, from the findings, considering seed germination percentage and vigor index of ash gourd, seed treatment with 0.4% KNO₃ might be induced higher percentage of germination from seed. Thus, it might be recommended that ash gourd seeds should be primed as seed treatment with 0.4% KNO₃ to break dormancy before sowing in the field for better plant establishment, growth and yield of ash gourd.

Knowledge Management: Journal