Victor B. Asio
ABSTRACT
Osmoconditioning using polyethylene glycol (PEG) ‘6000’ solution restored the germination capacity of sweet pepper seeds subjected to accelerated ageing treatment to the level of the germination time and speed of germination capacity of fresh seeds. It also enhanced uniformity of germination time and speed of germination and seedling emergence of the aged seeds. In fresh seeds, osmocoonditioning did not further improve germination percentage but enhanced uniformity and rate of seed germination and seedling emergence. It caused development of taller, more vigorous and heavier seedling in both fresh and aged seeds.
The optimum osmotic potential of the PEG solution was -4 bars. Pretreatment duration of 8 days proved to be more effective than just 4 days.
Keywords: Accelerated ageing. Osmoconditioning. Osmotic potential. Polyethylene glycol (PEG). Sweet pepper.
Annals of Tropical Research 19(1):(1997)
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