Abstract

Sunflower seeds of cv. Morden were soaked in water or leaf extract (1%) of Prosopis, Azadirachta (Neem), Cyanodon, Bougainvilla, Vitax, Acacia, Pongamia, Hibiscus,." Moringa and Tamarindus (Tamarind) for 16h and dried back to original moisture content. Soaked and dried seeds were evaluated for seed germination and root and shoot length of seedlings. In another experiment, seeds were coated with dried leaf powders of plant species used in the previous experiment at 250 g kg of seed using maida 5 per cent ns adhesive. Soaking and drying in leaf extract of Bougainvilla and Vitax recorded maximum germination. However, root and shoot length of seedlings were maximum in seeds soaked in water. Moringa leaf extract significantly reduced seed germination. However, in seed coating experiment Moringa leaf powder proved to be the best for enhancing seed germination and vigour.

Keywords: Sunflower, Leaf powder, Soaking and Drying, Coating, Seed Germination, Vigour.