Effect of Artificial Ageing on Relative Storability of Primed Seed Lots of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

The primed seeds lot of two varieties of fenugreek HM-57 and HM-103 having two lots each (L1 was having standard germination above 70% and L2 was having standard germination below 70%) were stored under ambient condition and the observations was recorded during 2013-14 to assess the storability of primed seed lots of before artificial ageing (40 ±1°C for 72 h) and after artificial ageing of primed seed lots. It was observed that standard germination (%), root length (cm), shoot length (cm), seedling dry weight (mg) and vigour indices significantly decreased whereas, electrical conductivity (µS/cm/seed) of seed leachates increased with artificial ageing. Maximum germination was retained by HM-57 with, hydration (6 h) and dehydration at room temperature followed by dry dressing with thiram @ 0.25% treatment in good quality seed lot L1 (standard germination above 70%) after artificial ageing.