Effect of seed priming on emergence and vigour of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study the response of seed priming treatments in various genotypes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). The experiment comprised of 5 genotypes viz. Punjab 14, Punjab Kareli, Jaunpuri Long, Katahi and Green Special Long in main plot and six priming treatments (hydration for 24 hours, GA₃ @ 100 ppm for 24 hours, KNO₃@ 100 ppm for 24 hours, KH₂PO₄ @ 10⁻³ M for 24 hours, hydration for 24 hours and buried in FYM for 1 day, hydration for 24 hours and buried in FYM for 2 days) in sub plot in a split plot design. The results revealed that among various priming treatments, seeds treated with GA ₃ were better in germination, field emergence, speed of emergence, seedling length and vigour index-I whereas seeds treated with KH₂PO₄ gave higher seedling dry weight and vigour index-II. The response of cultivars Katahi, Punjab 14 and Jaunpuri Long to seed priming treatments was significantly better than other cultivars.