Response of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) to Different Seed Priming Treatments on Germination and Seed Quality Parameters in Laboratory Condition under Different Temperature Regimes

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted during Rabi 2023 to evaluate the Response of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) to different seed priming treatments on germination and seed quality parameters in laboratory condition under different temperature regimes. The study included three temperature conditions: T1 (>30°C), T2 (25 ± 1°C), and T3 (<20°C), and six seed priming treatments: P0 (Control), P1 (Hydro priming), P2 (PGPR 10 g/kg), P3 (Trichoderma harzianum 4%), P4 (Panchagavya 8%), and P5 (Bijamrut 9%), all for 14 hours. Results showed that T3 (<20°C) significantly improved seed germination (84.31%), seedling length (7.11 cm), fresh weight (152.95 mg), dry weight (11.96 mg), and vigour indices I and II (609.20 and 1021.39, respectively). Among the priming treatments, P4 (Panchagavya) recorded the highest germination (82.35%), seedling length (6.00 cm), and vigour indices (505.70 and 920.67), followed by P3 (T. harzianum). The control treatment (P0) consistently showed the lowest values across all parameters. The interaction effect between seed priming and temperature regimes was found to be non-significant, indicating their effects were independent. Overall, Panchagavya proved to be the most effective seed priming treatment for improving cumin seed germination and seedling vigour, especially under cooler temperature conditions.