Abstract

                                Oilseeds shows quicker deterioration leading to loss of seed vigour and viability, which can be improved through priming and fortification techniques. This study was aimed to assess the effect of micronutrient priming and humid invigouration technique in sesame. The duration of soaking for priming treatment was fixed by soaking the seeds for durations viz., 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 h. In this the best duration was subjected to humid invigouration for durations viz., 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 h. Then the durations standardized earlier were subjected to micronutrient (ZnSO₄ and MnSO₄) priming of concentrations viz., 0.25, 0.5 and 1 %. The results revealed that seeds soaking with MnSO4 0.5 % for 12 h and followed by humid invigouration of 9 h was effective in increasing germination (22.7 %), radical protrusion (54 %), shoot length (36.4 %), root length (78 %), dry matter production (63.5 %) and vigour index (92 %) over the control.

Key words : Seed priming, Micronutrient, Humid invigouration