MSc

The research on ‘Halogenation for improvement of seed yield and quality in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)’ was undertaken in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during the year 2018-2020. The study aimed to assess the impact of halogenation on growth and field performance of treated seeds, as well as its influence on seed quality during ambient storage.
The study comprised of two experiments. In experiment I, the field performance of halogenated chilli seeds was assessed. Freshly harvested seeds of chilli variety Anugraha treated with different doses of halogens indirectly through a carrier were the treatments used. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) with four replications and five treatments viz., T1: Control (Untreated), T2: CaOCl2 + CaCO3 (2 g each/kg seed), T3: CaOCl2 + CaCO3 (4 g each /kg seed), T4: Iodine crystal + CaCO3 (50 mg each/kg seed), T5: Iodine crystal + CaCO3 (100 mg each/kg seed). Observations on growth and yield parameters were recorded at appropriate growth stages.
The results revealed that seed yield attributes such as fruits per plant, fruit weight, seed yield per plant and hundred seed weight were significantly influenced by the treatments. Among the CaOCl2 treatments, T2 (CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @2 g each/kg seed) recorded higher values for fruits per plant, fruit weight and seed yield per plant. Of the two seed invigoration treatments with iodine, T5 (Iodine crystal + CaCO3 @100 mg each/kg) performed superior for fruits per plant, fruit weight, seed yield per plant and hundred seed weight.
Seeds obtained from Experiment I were used for seed storage studies (Experiment II). The seeds were dried to a moisture content less than eight per cent, bagged in 700 gauge polyethylene bag and stored under ambient conditions for six months. Samples were drawn at monthly intervals and various seed quality parameters
were analysed. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Block Design (CRD) with five treatments (T1 to T5 as in experiment I) and four replications.
Seed quality parameters such as germination per cent, vigour indices and seedling dry weight declined with the progress of storage, whereas electrical conductivity of seed leachates increased over the storage period. Significant differences were observed among the treatments for germination per cent from first month onwards to the end of storage. All treatments including the control maintained MSCS (Minimum Seed Certification Standard) of 60 per cent germination till the end of six months of storage. At the end of storage, T2 (CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @2 g each/kg) followed by T5 (Iodine crystal + CaCO3 @100 mg each/kg) recorded higher germination per cent and vigour indices.
The influence of halogen treatments on seed infection was found significant at the start and end of storage. Treatments, T5 (Iodine crystal + CaCO3 @100 mg each/kg seed) and T2 (CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @2 g each/kg) were found superior with lower infection.
In order to identify treatments effective for improvement of seed yield and quality, scoring and ranking were carried out for all the characters studied under experiment I and for germination per cent and vigour indices in experiment II. While considering the total score obtained by the treatments for both the experiments, T2 (CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @2 g each/kg seed) was found to have multiple benefits of enhancement of growth and seed yield attributes and maintenance of seed quality during storage. T2 was followed by T3 (CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @4 g each/kg seed) and T5 (Iodine crystal + CaCO3 @100 mg each/kg).
Hence, it is concluded that seed treatment with CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @2 g each/kg seed was effective in improving seed yield and quality in chilli variety Anugraha. The treatment is simple and chemicals are easily available hence farmer friendly. The study may be extended to other chilli varieties to standardise the dosage for recommendation.