Effect of Chitosan and Bio-extract in Seed Priming Process on Germination and Seedling Growth of Bird Chili Pepper

Abstract

        One objective of this research was to evaluate the optimal duration of seed soaking as part of seed priming for bird chili pepper seeds. Seeds were soaked in RO water for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours at 25°C. The other objective was to know the effect of seed priming with chitosan and bio-extract on the seed germination and seedling growth of bird chili pepper plants. The experimental design was of the completely randomized type. There were 8 treatments, which included seed priming for 12 hours in chitosan at 50, 100, 200 mg/l, and bio-extract:RO water ratio at 1:500, 1:750, 1:1000 (v/v). These treatments were compared with seed priming with RO water and non-primed seed. Seed germination was tested by the top of paper method in the laboratory and by using peat moss as material under greenhouse conditions. With respect to the first objective, the results showed that a soaking duration of 12 hours was optimal as it produced the highest seed germination (95%, a result that was significantly different to that found for non-primed seed, which showed the lowest seed germination rate (88%). With regard to the second objective, seed priming with chitosan at 50 mg/l stimulated the highest seed germination. It also produced the fastest mean germination time and speed of germination was highest. The highest fresh and dry weights of seedlings were obtained when seeds were primed with 50-100 mg/l chitosan and bio-extract:RO water ratio at 1:500 (v/v). These results were significantly different to those found for with non-primed seeds when they were germinated under greenhouse conditions. From these results, it can be concluded that seed priming with chitosan 50 mg/l was a suitable method for enhancing seed germination and seedling growth of bird chili pepper seeds.