Effect of Different Seed Priming on Seed Quality and Storability of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Seed quality and storability are critical constraints affecting sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) productivity under tropical storage conditions. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different seed priming treatments on seed quality parameters and storability of sesame variety TMV 3. Freshly harvested seeds were subjected to seven priming treatments including hydropriming, biopriming with Trichoderma viride and Bacillus subtilis, hormonal priming with indole acetic acid and gibberellic acid and botanical priming with neem and pungam leaf powders, along with an unprimed control. The experiment was conducted in a factorial completely randomized design with three replications. After priming, seeds were dried to 8% moisture content and stored in plastic containers and kada cloth under ambient conditions. Seed quality parameters including germination percentage, seedling length, dry matter production, vigour index I, vigour index II, protein content and electrical conductivity were assessed at bimonthly intervals up to ten months of storage. Results revealed a progressive decline in seed quality with increasing storage period. However, seeds primed with Trichoderma viride consistently recorded significantly higher germination, seedling growth, dry matter accumulation, vigour index I, vigour index II, protein content and lower electrical conductivity compared to other treatments and control. Plastic containers proved superior to kada cloth in maintaining seed quality during storage. The study concludes that biopriming with Trichoderma viride coupled with appropriate storage containers, is an effective and eco-friendly strategy for enhancing seed quality and storability of sesame.