Impact of hydropriming duration on seed germination and emergence indices of sweet basil

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the Department of Horticultural Technology, Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Enugu state, Nigeria to determine the impact of hydro-priming duration on seed germination and emergence indices of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) in August, 2018. The treatments were 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours of hydropriming. The control treatment was left un-primed. Twenty seeds from each treatment were plated in Petri dish which contained two layers of filter papers that were wetted with 10 ml of distilled water and was used for the germination studies. Twenty seeds from each of the treatment were sown in 2 kg nursery medium (poly pot) with nursery mixture of soil, well cured poultry manure and sand in the ratio of 3:2:1, respectively and was used for the emergence studies. The experiment was laid in completely randomized design with three replications. Data on germination and emergence indices were collected and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The treatment means that were significant were separated using least significant difference at 0.05 probability level. The results showed that hydro-priming significantly (p<0.05) increased germination percentage, coefficient of velocity of germination, coefficient of uniformity of germination, emergence percentage and coefficient of velocity of emergence with 18 hour having superior values and the least values were in control. Hydro-priming also significantly decreased mean germination time, mean emergence time, days to 50% germination and days to 50% emergence with the least values obtained in 18 hours and the highest values were in control. It can be concluded that hydro-priming significantly improved germination and emergence of sweet basil (O. basilicum). The optimal hydro-priming duration for sweet basil (O. basilicum) was 18 hours, which enhanced seed germination and emergence percentage, ensured early germination and seedling emergence, and increased uniformity of emergence.