Abstract

Onion seeds were treated with water (hydropriming), sand (80% WHC) (Solid matrix priming), salts of KNO3 and NaCl at 3% (halopriming) for 12 h and 24 h and PEG (-0.25 MPa) for 8h and 12 h (osmopriming). Seeds grouped into two lots and dried to 7% and 8% MC were packed in Aluminium foil pouch and cloth bag respectively and stored for four months under ambient conditions (33°C and 57% RH). Results of the storage experiment revealed that all the eight priming treatments imposed upon onion seeds increased the speed of germination, germination percentage, seedling length, protein content and enzyme activity but lowered the electrical conductivity of seeds when compared to control. Among the treatments, seeds hydro primed with 80% sand for 24 h bestowed supremacy over the rest of the treatments throughout the period of storage in both containers. Between the containers, seeds stored in Aluminium foil pouch recorded significantly improved percentage of radicle protrusion and germination throughout the period of storage.

Keywords: Onion seed, hydropriming, sandmatrix priming, storage