1. Welcome

6. Seed Quality Enhancement Technology of
Vegetable Crops
KITTUR RANI CHANNAMMA COLLEGE OF
HORTICULTURE, ARABHAVI

7. TOPIC DIVISION

8. Global Seed Market Split
Vegetable seed
Seed
Soybean 12%
Tomato fresh indet. 11%
Vegetables 18%
Cabbage 7%
Canola 5%
Sweet
pepper 7%
Cotton 3%
Corn 32%
Rice 10%
Wheat 4%
Barley 2%
Other 6%
Potato 4%
Sugar Beet 2%
Lettuce 7%
Tomato
fresh set. 3%
Carrot 4%
Hot pepper 5%
Sunflower 2%
INDIAN SEED INDUSTRY
• Total Seed Industry is worth about 7500-8000 crore
• Vegetable seed industry is worth 1500 crore
Chinese cabbage 5 %
Watermelon 5 %
Onion 5%
Melon 5 %
(Seed quest, 2009)

9. Seed Quality Enhancement
Definition
Post
harvest
treatment
that
improve
germination or seedling growth or facilitate the
delivery of seeds and other materials required at
the time of sowing
(Taylor et al., 1998)

10. Seed Quality Concept
Sowing
Environmental
Pre-harvest Factors
Seed
Quality
Health
Physiological
Harvest
Genetic
Physical
Harvest & Post-harvest
Factors
Seed ready for sowing
Factors
Seed quality
Enhancement
Sowing
Aagarwal, 1992

11. Role of impr oved seed
• It serves as a carrier of new technologies
• It serves a basic tools for secured food
supply crop yields
• It serves as mean of security in less
favorable production area
• It act as medium for rehabitation of
agriculture in case of natural disaster
( Feistritzer, 1975 )

12. Where & when it is needed?
• Problematic seed
• High value of seed
• Specific planting technique
• Biotic stresses
• Direct seeding
• Adverse climatic conditions

13. History
• Recorded references in Vedas and Bible
Ex. Beejamruta,
• Coated and pelleted seeds traced in Egyptian
pyramids
• China farmers use to coat paddy seeds with
mud balls while sowing in flooded fields
• Our ancestors use to practice it
– Application of ash, mud or cow dung slurry on
seeds

14. History

15. Seed Quality Enhancement
Techniques
1. Seed hydration technology (pre
hydration, priming)
2. Seed coating (pelleting, film coating)
3. Integrated seed enhancement

16. Seed hydration technology / Seed hardening
It is process of soaking the seeds in water or dilute
solution of growth regulating compounds to induce early
germination, better root growth and seedling growth and
also enhances the yield potential of the crop variety.
TYPES OF HYDRATIONS
1.Pre-hydration [ a). Seed fortification b). seed infusion ]
2.Priming [a). Osmo conditioning b). Halo priming c). Bio priming
c). Hydro priming d). Solid Matrix Priming or matriconditioning
]

18. PHYSIOILOGY INVOLVED IN HYDRATION
POST-GERMINATION
UPTAKE OF WATER
GERMINATION
TIME
(Bewley, 1997)

19.  Seed fortification
It is pre hydration technique were seeds are
soaked either in water or dilute solution of
bioactive chemicals such as micro nutrients,
growth regulators, vitamins and seed protectants.
 Seed infusion
It is a method of impregnation of seeds with
bioactive chemicals through organic solvents
instead of water this technique of infusion which
helps to avoid the damage caused to the seed due
to soaking in water. hence this method is highly
suitable to the seeds that suffer from soaking or
seed coat injury (pulses).
(Halmer, 2006)

20. Advantages of Pre hydration
 Faster water Imbibition
 Imbibition causes swelling of seeds
 Pre hydration promotes early germination and good
crop stand.
Disadvantages of Pre-hydration
Toxicity of chemicals
Limited O2 supply to seed
Disadvantage in handling large quantity of seed

21. Table 1: Effect of seed fortification on seed quality enhancement in Brinjal.
Treatment
Control
Water
Cowpea extract 2%
Horse gram extract 3%
Bone meal extract 2%
Gelatin 1000ppm
KH2PO4 1%
KNO3
2%
ZnSO4
0.1%
FeSO4
0.2%
NaSO4
0.1%
MnSO4 0.2%
IBA 100ppm
SA 200ppm
Mean
S.Ed
C.D (P=0.5)
Germination
%
58.05
58.69
61.34
60.00
60.66
66.42
64.89
67.21
60.00
60.66
60.00
62.72
60.00
65.65
62.02
1.439
3.087**
Dry matter production
( Mg seedligs-10 )
11.28
11.41
11.83
11.70
11.82
12.51
12.40
12.67
11.77
11.90
11.62
11.88
11.79
12.45
11.93
0.053
0.114**
Vigour index
807
833
890
872
899
1051
1017
1078
883
899
866
939
878
1033
925
17.72
38**
(Ponnuswamy and Vijayalakshmi, 2011, Coimbatore)

22. Table-2:
Effect of seed fortification on seed quality enhancement in Tomato
Treatment
Control
Water
Cowpea extract 2%
Horse gram extract 3%
Bone meal extract 2%
Gelatin 1000ppm
KH2PO4 1%
KNO3
2%
ZnSO4
0.1%
FeSO4
0.2%
NaSO4
0.1%
MnSO4 0.2%
IBA 100ppm
SA 200ppm
Mean
S.Ed
C.D (P=0.5)
Germination %
61.34
63.43
65.65
64.15
65.65
68.02
67.21
68.86
64.15
64.89
64.15
65.65
64.15
67.21
65.65
1.017
2.18**
Dry matter production
(Mg seedligs-10 )
11.59
12.32
12.54
12.39
12.53
12.86
12.75
12.96
12.43
12.47
12.54
12.68
12.51
12.87
12.53
0.0511
0.1095**
Vigour
index
887
980
1034
1004
1034
1106
1084
1128
1001
1017
1010
1046
1007
1094
1031
15.49
33.23**
(Ponnuswamy and Vijayalakshmi, 2011, Coimbatore)

23. Table-3: Effect of seed fortification on seed quality enhancement in Chilli
Control
54.33
Dry matter production
( Mg seedligs-10 )
11.11
Water
56.16
11.55
797
Cowpea extract 2%
Horse gram extract 3%
58.05
11.74
846
56.79
11.70
819
Bone meal extract 2%
58.05
11.79
843
Gelatin 1000ppm
KH2PO4 1%
60.00
12.55
946
60.00
12.52
939
KNO3
2%
61.34
12.64
967
FeSO4
0.2%
56.79
11.79
826
NaSO4
0.1%
54.16
11.93
823
IBA 100ppm
54.16
11.90
815
SA 200ppm
60.66
12.57
955
Mean
58.05
11.98
859
S.Ed
1.457
0.059
16.81
C.D (P=0.5)
3.17**
0.12**
36.64**
Treatment
Germination %
Vigour index
734
(Ponnuswamy and Vijayalakshmi, 2011, Coimbatore)

24. Seed Priming
 It is a presowing treatment in which seeds are
soaked in osmotic solution that allows the seeds
to imbibe water and go through the first stages
of germination but does not permit radicle
protrusion through the seed coat
 It is based on the principle of controlled
Imbibition, to a level that a permits pre
germination metabolism to proceed, but prevents
actual emergence of radicle
( Bradford, 1986 )

25. Hydro priming (drum priming)
It is achieved by continuous or successive addition of
limited amount of water to the seeds is the cheap and
useful technique that is practiced by incubating seeds for a
limited time in warm water.
Halo primingHalo priming involves the use of salts of chlorides,
sulphates, nitrates etc.
Osmopriming (Osmoconditioning)
It is the standard priming technique. Seeds are incubated in
well aerated solutions with a low water potential, and later
washed and dried.
(Halmer, 2006)

26. Matric priming (Solid matrix conditioning)
It is the incubation of seeds in a solid, insoluble matrix with
a limited amount of water. This method confers a slow
imbibition. (McDonald, 2000)
matric carriers are- (Calcinated clay, Vermiculite ,Peat Moss ,Sand, Micro-Cel )
Bio-priming (Seed conditioning)
It is a process of biological seed treatment that refers to
combination of seed hydration (physiological aspect of
disease control) and inoculation (biological aspect of disease
control) of seed with beneficial organism to protect seed
with the help of beneficial fungi and bacteria.
(Halmer, 2006)

27. Fig :2 Physiological basis of seed priming.
(Agarwal, 2002)

28. • Osmotic potential of solution.
• Priming temperature and light
• Duration of priming
• O2 availability
• Drying method
(Halmer, 2006)

29. Advantages of Priming
 Controlled water Imbibition
 Imbibition injury prevented
 Salt priming supply seeds with nitrogen and
other nutrients for protein synthesis
Disadvantages of Priming
Toxicity of chemicals
Limited O2 supply to seed
Disadvantage in handling large quantity of seed

30. Germination percentage (%)
2hr-Soaking
‘Guangxi 5’
2hr-Soaking
‘Gold Prince’
Fig-3: Germination of ‘Guangxi 5’ and ‘Gold Prince’ Triploid water melon after Hydropriming
treatments at different aeration times
(Rukui et al., 2002,Thailand)

31. Table-4 : Germination percentage and mean germination time (MGT) of triploid
watermelon seeds after soaking in water for 2 hrs following 24 or 48 hours
incubation.
NS- non significant, MGT- Mean germination time.
(Rukui et al., 2002, Thailand)

32. Fig-3: Change in seed moisture content under different drying conditions
(Rukui et al., 2002, Thailand)

33. Table-5 :
Germination percentage and mean germination time (MGT) of
hydroprimed triploid watermelon seeds after redrying.
(Rukui et al., 2002, Thailand)

34. Table-6 : Means of pinto bean seed quality parameters affected by hydropriming duration and cultivar
Treatments
Electrical
conductivity
(µS/ cm/g)
Mean
germination
time (day)
Germination
percentage
Seedling dry
weight (mg)
Hydro-priming
P1
10.51a
3.03a
95.33b
84.92b
P2
9.65b
2.51b
99.00a
94.42a
P3
9.60b
2.65b
97.00ab
91.75a
P4
9.50b
3.07a
94.67b
83.67b
Cultivar
‘Talash’
9.84a
2.77b
96.25a
88.62a
‘COS16’
9.75a
2.73b
96.75a
88.87a
‘Khomain’
9.83a
2.95a
96.50a
88.56a
Different letters at each column for each treatment indicating significant difference
at p≤0.05. P1, P2, P3 and P4 : non – primed and hydro-primed seeds for 7.14 and
21 h. respectively.
(Kazem et al., 2010, Iran)

35. Table-7 : Means of pinto bean field traits influenced by hydro-priming
duration and cultivar
Treatments
Seedling
emergence
percentage
Mean
emergence
time (day)
Grains
per plant
1000
Grains/ Grain
m2
weigh
t (g)
Grain
yield per
plant (g)
Grain
yield/m2
(gm2)
Hydro-priming
P1
55.11b
29.68a
33.52a
896.2b
326.8a
7.553a
209.1b
P2
68.22a
25.75b
34.94a
1106.0a 324.7a
7.630a
251.7a
P3
64.22a
26.80b
34.06a
1040.0a 324.7a
7.612a
236.8b
P4
54.00b
30.57a
33.48a
884.4b
327.0a
7.581a
205b
Cultivar
‘Talash’
60.16a
27.92a
38.63a
1115.0a 317.0b
8.385a
248.1a
‘COS16’
60.83a
27.87a
39.52a
1128.0a 305.4b
8.400a
252.5a
‘Khomain’
60.16a
28.80a
23.86b
701.7b
5.997b
176.9b
355.1a
Different letters at each column for each treatment indicating a significant difference @
≤0.05 P1, P2, P3 and P4 : non-primed and hydro-primed seeds for 7.14 and 21 h.
respectively
( Kazem et al., 2010, Iran)

36. Table-8: Effect of osmopriming on the germination ability of tomato cv.
Riogrande improved and Roma.
T50
(days)
MGT
(days)
FGP (%)
GI
GE(%)
Control
5.50a
6.30 a
45.33 c
16.50 c
16.65 d
Osmopriming (PEG)
3.07 c
5.17 b
65.67 b
24.50 b
24.57 c
Osmopriming (NaCl)
3.77 b
5.13 b
74.00 a
25.50 a
37.45 b
Osmopriming (KNO3)
2.17 d
4.10 c
83.33 a
32.00a
46.28 a
LSD at 0.05
0.221
0.148
12.36
2.43
8.03
Control
5.15 a
6.70 a
48.33 c
16.50 c
15.25 c
Osmopriming (PEG)
3.57 c
5.01 c
64.67 b
23.50 c
25.57 b
Osmopriming (NaCl)
3.87 b
5.23 b
72.00a
27.50 b
37.45 a
Osmopriming (KNO3)
2.87 d
4.60 d
78.33 a
33.00 a
44.08 a
LSD at 0.05
0.254
0.188
11.36
2.33
9.13
Treatments
Riogrande
improved
Roma
FGP = final germination % ; MGT = mean germination time; T50 = time taken to 50%
germination; GI=germination index; GE=Energy of germination
(Farooq et al., 2005, Faisalabad)

37. Table-9 : Effect of seedling vigour of tomato cvs. Riogrande improved and
Roma.
Seedling Seeding
fresh
dry
weight
weight
(mg)
(mg)
Root
length
(cm)
Shoot
length
(cm)
7.51 a 31.41 d
45.05 d
30.88 d
1.12b
20.29 d
Riogrande Osmopriming (PEG) 7.33 a 54.00 c
improved
Osmopriming (NaCl) 5.15 b 62.19 b
Osmopriming(KNO3) 4.55 c 74.97 a
LSD at 0.05
0.593 4.342
Control
7.91 a 43.41 d
Osmopriming (PEG) 7.13 a 54.00 c
Roma
Osmopriming (NaCl) 5.45 b 62.19 d
Osmopriming(KNO3) 4.75 c 74.97 a
LSD at 0.05
0.575 4.232
54.45 c
64.52 b
77.87 a
6.112
43.05 c
54.45 c
62.52 b
76.87 a
6.112
49.77 c
69.29 b
76.75 a
5.126
34.88 d
49.77 c
64.29 b
73.75 a
5.126
1.15 b
1.17 b
1.42 a
0.221
1.12 b
1.13 b
1.02 b
1.49 b
0.213
27.77 c
30.00 b
35.05 a
0.712
21.29 d
27.77 c
30.00 b
37.05 a
0.714
Treatments
Control
FEP = final emergence % ;
MET
(days)
FEP
(%)
MET = mean emergence time.
(Farooq et al., 2005, Faisalabad)

38. Table-10: Effect of Halopriming on the germination of tomato cv Nagina & Pakit.
cultivar
Nagina
priming
Control
Hydropriming
Halo Priming in 10mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 25mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 50mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 10mM KNO3
Halo Priming in 25mM KNO3
Halo Priming in 50mM KNO3
LSD at 0.05
Control
Pakit
Hydropriming
Halo Priming in 10mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 25mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 50mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 10mM KNO3
Halo Priming in 25mM KNO3
Halo Priming in 50mM KNO3
LSD at 0.05
FGP
MGT
(days)
T50 (days)
Root
length(cm)
Shoot
length(cm)
61.33c
7.31a
6.13b
5.30c
4.93b
69.33b
7.18abc
6.52a
5.30c
5.58a
70.66b
7.00bc
6.28ab
5.50bc
5.24ab
69.33b
7.25ab
6.22b
4.20d
5.13ab
72.00b
7.24ab
6.38ab
5.56bc
5.27abc
74.66b
6.93cd
6.13b
6.06a
5.18ab
81.33a
6.58e
5.19d
5.76ab
5.20ab
71.36b
5.6531
52.00f
6.68de
0.2637
7.43a
5.80c
0.2322
6.52a
5.33c
0.4255
5.06c
5.34ab
0.5271
4.93bc
57.33e
7.20ab
6.16b
5.33bc
5.60a
62.66cd
6.93bc
6.22b
5.40b
5.23abc
66.66bd
6.96bc
6.28ab
5.23bc
4.76c
58.66de
7.43a
6.38ab
5.23bc
4.76c
68.00b
6.86c
6.23b
5.30bc
5.20abc
78.66a
6.33d
5.17d
6.00a
5.20abc
70.66b
6.90c
5.90c
5.16bc
5.33ab
4.4129
0.2998
0.2522
0.3277
0.5631
FGP = final germination % ; MGT = mean germination time; T50 = time taken to 50% germination.
(Nawaz et al., 2011, Faisalabad)

39. Table-11: Effect of Halopriming on the fresh wt & dry wt of tomato cv Nagina &Pakit.
cultivar
Nagina
Pakit
Priming
Fresh weight(mg)
Dry weight (mg)
control
Hydropriming
Halo Priming in 10mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 25mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 50mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 10mM KNO3
Halo Priming in 25mM KNO3
Halo Priming in 50mM KNO3
LSD at 0.05
23.10cd
24.30bc
25.20b
24.80b
22.53d
25.00b
28.96a
24.06bc
1.3328
6.33e
7.36cd
7.80bc
8.00b
6.70e
7.00de
8.53a
7.26d
0.4908
control
Hydropriming
Halo Priming in 10mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 25mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 50mM NaCl
Halo Priming in 10mM KNO3
Halo Priming in 25mM KNO3
Halo Priming in 50mM KNO3
LSD at 0.05
22.30cd
23.30bc
24.20b
25.80b
23.53d
26.00b
27.56a
23.04bc
1.2315
6.33e
7.25bcd
7.75bc
8.10ab
6.50de
7.02de
8.66a
7.21cd
0.5013
(Nawaz et al., 2011, Faisalabad)

40. Non-reducing sugars (mg/g of seed)
Reducing sugars (mg/g of seed)
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Total sugars (mg/g of seed)
A
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
A- Control
B- Hydropriming
C- NaCl 10mM
D- NaCl 25mM
E- NaCl 50mM
F- KNO3 10mM
G- KNO3 25mM
H- KNO3 50mM
Fig-4: Effect of Halopriming on the Reducing, Non-reducing and Total sugar content of
tomato seeds cv Nagina & Pakit.
Nawaz et al., 2011, Faisalabad

41. Application of coating substance to the seed to enhance
seed placement and performance with out altering shape
or placing chemicals on the seed coat which regulate and
improve germination.
( Copeland and Mc Donald 2001)

43. SEED COATINGS
It is the coating applied to the seed that does not
obscure its shape. It may be fungicide, microbiological
treatments and micronutrients
Its major benefit is that the seed enhancement material is
directly placed on the seed as compared to the broad
casting.
FILM COATINGS
It’s a sophisticated process of applying precise
amount of active ingredients in form of thin film along
with the liquid material directly on to the seed surface
without obscuring its shape.
(Copeland and Mc Donald, 2001)

44. Advantages of seed coating
 Enables accurate and even dose of chemicals and reduces
chemical wastage
 Improve the appearance and dust free handling
 To apply fungicides, insecticides, micronutrients directly to
seed.
 Allow easy flow of seed in automatic seeding
 Act as a temperature switch and water intake regulator
Disadvantages of coating
Coated seeds fetch high cost, than the bare seeds
Improper coating and improper dilution of coating
material may deteriote the whole seed lot

45. Table-12 : Effect of seed application with calcium paste on the plant growth , yield and
Chlorophyll content in pea plants grown under salinity stress (n = 10).
Parameters
Treatment
Green pod
Green seed
100-seed
yield pot-1
yield pot-1
weight (g)
(g)
(g)
Shoot
Total
SFW SDW
length
chlorophyll (g)
(g)
(cm)
Control
58.9b
18.4b
40.1c
221.7b
1.65b
7.98c 4.18c
CW
92.3a
20.6a
45.3b
24.1a
1.70b
8.67b 5.79b
CWH
98.4a
21.4a
49.9a
28.1a
1.97a
9.32a 7.70a
NaCl (150mM)
14.8e
10.7d
5.6f
12.3d
0.83d
4.16f
NaCl + CW
39.9d
13.8c
14.0e
18.4c
1.46c
6.59e 3.54d
NaCl + CWH
46.8c
17.7b
19.9d
21.8b
1.78b
7.27d 4.20c
2.57e
CW=Calcium paste consists of CaSO4 + wheat bran at the ratio 1:5 (w/w).
CWH=Calcium paste consists of CaSO4 + wheat bran + humic acid at the ratio 2:10:1
(w/w/w). SFW= Shoot fresh weight, SDW= Shoot dry weight
(Saad et al., 2012, Egypt)

46. Table-13 : Influence of Polykote film coating and accelerated ageing on vigour
index of cluster bean.
Film coating treatments
(T)
Control
Dry coating (3g/kg)
Slurry coating 3g/kg + 5ml of
water)
Slurry coating + Halogen
mixture(3g/kg)
Slurry coating + Bavistin (2g/kg)
Mean
S.Ed
CD (P=0.05)
days after accelerated ageing (D)
0
2
4
6
8
Mean
2737
2900
2571
2804
2014
2244
1323
1605
863
1318
1650
1959
3036
2932
2391
1713
1274
2048
3117
2958
2577
1848
1479
2179
3187
2995
T
116
238
3024
2858
D
128
261
2763
2398
T X D
244
NS
2059
1710
1619
1310
2310
2029
(Renugadevi et al., 2008, Coimbatore)

47. Table-14 : Influence of Polykote film coating and accelerated ageing on
germination of cluster bean
Film coating treatments
(T)
Control
Dry coating (3g/kg)
Slurry coating 3g/kg +
5ml of water
Slurry coating + Halogen
mixture(3g/kg)
Slurry coating + Bavistin
(2g/kg)
Mean
S.Ed
CD (P=0.05)
Days after accelerated ageing (D)
0
2
4
6
8
Mean
89(70.63) 87(68.87) 75(60.00) 60(50.77) 49(44.43) 65(53.73)
92(73.57) 92(73.57) 80(63.43) 65(53.73) 57(49.02) 73(58.69)
95(77.08) 93(74.66) 83(65.65) 66(53.33) 61(51.35) 75(60.00)
97(80.03) 94(75.82) 85(67.21) 67(54.94) 61(51.35) 77(61.34)
94(75.82) 95(77.08) 90(71.57) 73(58.69) 65(53.73) 80(63.43)
94(75.82) 92(73.57) 83(65.65) 69(56.17) 59(50.18) 74(59.34)
T
0.758
1.547
D
0.830
1.695
TXD
1.856
NS
(Figures in parentheses indicate arc sine transformed values)
(Renugadevi et al., 2008, Coimbatore)

48. Table-15 : level of contamination, percent of germination, relative speed of germination
and index of vigour as influenced by matriconditioning plus clove oil seed
treatments applied on hot pepper seed lots infected by Colletotrichum capsici.
Seed treatments
Contamination
(%)
Germination
(%)
Relative speed
of germination
(%)
Index of vigor
(%)
Untreated
50a
69c
57b
5c
Clove oil 0.06 %
6b
80a
69a
31b
Clove oil 0.1 %
4b
66c
50b
8c
Matric + clove oil
0.06 %
4b
76b
71a
47a
Matric + clove oil
0.1 %
3b
80a
74a
49a
Note : Means in the same rows suffixed with different letters are different at 5% levels
of significance according to DMRT.
(Untary, 2003, Coimbatore)

49. Seed Pelleting
It is the process of enclosing a seed with a small
quantity of inert material just large enough to facilitate
precision planting
Or
It is the mechanism of applying needed materials is
such a way that they affect the seed or soil at the seed soil
interference.
(Halmer,
2006)
Why inert material?
It creates natural water holding media and provide small
amount of nutrients to younger seedlings.
(Halmer, 2006)

50. Seed Pelleting Process
adhesive
seed
Coating of seed with adhesive
Filler material
Filler material sprinkled on
coated seeds
Pelleted seeds
Shade drying
sowing
sowing
(Halmer, 2006)

51. Pelleting material
FILLER MATERIALS
ADHESIVE
Clay
limestone
Calcium carbonate
Vermiculate
Tamarind leaf powder
Gum Arabic
Gelatin
Methyl cellulose
polyvinyl alcohol
Maida / starch gruel
Along with Inoculants, Growth
regulators & Fungicides etc.
(Halmer, 2006)

52. Types of Seed Pelleting
Type
Material Used
Innoculant
Pelleting
BiofertilizerViz., Rhizobia, PSB, Azospirillum,
Azatobactor, VAM
Protective
Coating
Biocontrol agent like Rhizobacteria bataticola,
Bacillus sp. Streptomycis sp., pesticides, fungicides.
Herbicide
Coating
Filler antidote or absorbent coating, Herbicide
antidote like 1.8 napthalic anhydride (NA)
Nutrient
Coating
Coating with micro and macronutrients eg.ZnSo4,
FeSo4, Borax
Hydrophillic
Coating
Starch graft polymers, magnesium carbonate
Oxygen
Supplier
Coating
Peroxides of zinc and calcium
(Halmer, 2006)

53. Advantages of pelleting
 Increase in size and shape
 Singling of seeds to prevent clogging
 Precision placement
 Moisture absorption
 Supply of nutrients
 Protection from birds/animals
Disadvantages of pelleting
Pelleted seeds fetch high cost & weights more, than
the bare seeds.
Empty pellet/ multi seed pellet if proper machine are
not used.

54. Table-16: Effect of seed pelleting with micronutrients and leaf powder on growth
& yield component of cowpea
Seed
TREATMENT Days to 50% Plant Height
No. of
No. Of
Seed yield/ ha
yield/plant
(S)
flowering Harvest (cm) pods / plant seeds/pod
(Kg)
(g)
S1
22.04
43.62
27.92
12.33
30.91
1478.6
S2
22.90
43.76
29.10
12.49
31.80
1536.30
S3
23.70
44.67
29.80
12.37
31.68
1529.30
S4
24.05
45.29
22.30
12.25
25.04
1370.00
S5
24.10
45.40
24.01
11.84
26.84
1347.70
S6
23.45
45.29
22.80
11.80
26.29
1258.70
S7
24.05
45.43
22.65
11.73
26.79
1240.30
S0
26.16
41.15
18.57
10.94
18.51
1119.00
23.56
44.51
24.67
11.97
27.26
1360.00
Mean
0.62
0.35
0.70
0.23
0.72
0.86
S.Em±
1.95
1.34
2.15
0.69
2.16
3.40
CD @ 5%
S1 : ZnSO4 @ 250 mg / kg of seed
S4 = S1 + S2,
S7 = S1 + S2 + S3
S2 : Borax @ 100 mg / kg of seeds
S5 = S1 + S3
S0 = Control(without pelleting)
S3 : Arappu leaf powder @ 250 g/kg of seeds, S6 = S2 + S3
(Masuthi et al., 2009, Dharwad)

55. Table-17: Effect of seed pelleting with micronutrients and leaf powder on Seed
quality of cowpea
TREATMENT
(S)
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
S6
S7
S0
Mean
S.Em±
CD @ 5%
Germination (%)
98.47 (82.91)*
98.57 (83.14)
98.30 (82.52)
98.26 (82.44)
97.73 (81.34)
97.86 (81.60)
97.43 (80.86)
97.40 (81.71)
97.99 (81.94)
0.93
NS
Seedling vigour
index
4277.00
4269.00
4208.00
4004.00
4103.00
4069.00
4088.00
3735.00
4058.00
113.00
339.00
EC (dSm-1)
1.01
1.09
1.10
1.16
1.20
1.07
1.09
1.37
1.14
0.02
0.05
Seedling dry wt
(g)
0.595
0.572
0.573
0.536
0.536
0.520
0.539
0.493
0.547
0.011
0.033
S1 : ZnSO4 @ 250 mg / kg of seed
S4 = S1 + S2 S7 = S1 + S2 + S3
S2 : Borax @ 100 mg / kg of seeds
S5 = S1 + S3 S0 = Control(without pelleting)
S3 : Arappu leaf powder @ 250 g/kg of seeds S6 = S2 + S3
(Masuthi et al., 2009, Dharwad)

56. Table-18: Effect of seed pelleting treatments, storage containers and periods of storage on speed of
germination of bitter gourd cv. CO 1 seeds
period of storage (months)
Treatment
P0
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
P6
T x C Mean T Mean
container
T0
C1
C2
T x P Mean
T1
C1
C2
T x P Mean
T2
C1
C2
T x P Mean
T3
C1
C2
T x P Mean
T4
C1
C2
T x P Mean
T5
T x P Mean
P x C Mean
P Mean
S.Ed
CD (P=0.05)
C1
C2
C1
C2
4.1
4.1
4.1
5.6
4.3
4.9
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.7
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.2
4.2
4.0
4.1
4.5
4.1
4.3
7.5
4.9
6.2
4.1
4.0
4.1
4.4
4.0
4.3
4.9
4.6
4.8
4.7
4.6
4.7
5.1
4.4
4.7
5.0
4.7
4.9
8.2
6.3
7.3
4.3
4.2
4.3
4.7
4.4
4.6
6.2
4.7
6.0
5.4
5.0
5.3
5.7
5.1
5.4
6.2
5.8
6.0
11.2
7.7
9.5
4.9
4.2
4.6
5.4
5.2
5.3
8.4
7.5
8.0
6.4
6.3
6.4
7.1
6.2
6.6
P
0.12
0.14
C
0.08
0.15
T
0.14
0.26
PxC
NS
NS
9.6
9.4
9.5
13.4
12.2
12.8
8.0
6.1
7.1
9.6
8.2
8.9
12.4
11.6
12.0
10.7
10.2
10.5
10.7
9.7
10.2
9.7
9.5
9.6
13.5
12.8
13.2
8.3
7.0
7.7
10.4
9.6
10.0
12.8
12.5
12.7
10.8
10.2
10.5
10.9
10.3
10.6
12.6
12.1
12.3
15.4
14.6
15.0
10.5
7.2
8.9
11.6
10.8
11.2
14.9
14.2
14.6
12.9
12.7
12.8
12.9
11.9
12.5
7.4
7.1
7.3
10.7
9.0
9.9
6.3
5.2
5.7
7.1
6.6
6.9
9.1
8.6
8.9
7.9
7.6
7.8
8.1
7.4
TxC PxT
PxCxT
0.19
0.36
0.50
0.37
0.70
(Thiruseduraselvi et al., 1.00 Coimbatore)
2007,

57. Table-19: Effect of seed pelleting treatments, storage containers and periods of storage on Vigour
index of bitter gourd cv. CO 1 seeds
period of storage (months)
PxCxT
Treatment
P0
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
P6 T x C Mean
Mean
container
1393
1719
1393
1544
T x P Mean
1393
1632
C1
1549
2469
T1 -A. amara
C2
1549
2145
T x P Mean
750
2307
C1
750
1154
T2
C2
750
982
A.Indica
T x P Mean
1197
1068
C1
1197
1517
T3 C2
1197
1216
V. negunda
T x P Mean
1784
1366
C1
1784
2086
T4
C2
1784
1857
P. Pinnata
T x P Mean
1087
1972
C1
1087
1886
T5
C2
1087
1656
A. calamus
T x P Mean
1293
1771
C1
P x C Mean
1293
1805
C2
1293
1567
P Mean
1293
1686
P
C
S.Ed
56.4
30.15
conc of leaf powder @(200g/kg of seed)
CD (P=0.05)
112.16
59.95
T0 -Contol
C1
C2
2038 2685 3840
4613 4494
2970
2728
1675 2018 2838
3860 4082
2487
1856 2351 3339
4236 4288
2864 4139 5399
6030 6313
4109
3823
2401 3287 4320
5376 5688
3538
2632 3713 4859
5703 6000
1372 2106 3223
3866 3905
2339
2061
1125 1354 2012
3213 3044
1783
1248 1730 2618
3540 3475
1751 2710 2819
4144 3432
2510
2368
1483 2128 2601
3521 3432
2225
1617 2419 2710
3833 3432
2314 3781 4936
5448 5824
3739
3477
2247 2800 3933
4624 5263
3215
2281 3291 4434
3036 5544
2179 3040 4286
4836 5124
3205
3016
2045 2290 3419
4467 4815
2826
2112 2665 3853
4652 4969
2086 3077 4084
4823 4849
3145
1829 2313 3187
4177 4387
2679
1958 2695 3635
4500 4618
T
PxC TxC PxT
PxCxT
52.22 79.76 73.85 138.15
195.35
(Thiruseduraselvi et al., 2007, Coimbatore)
103.84 158.61 146.85 274.73
388.53

58. Integrated Seed Enhancement
Techniques
Priming +
Pregermination
Seed coating +
Pelleting
Priming + Pelleting
Osmoticum/solid
matrix carrier +
GR/nutrients/
pesticides
PEG + GA3
Effects
Early emergence, increased
shoot weight
Improve plantability of flat
seeds,
addition of bioactive
chemicals,
nutrients & microbes
Complements individual
effects
Additive effect
Improved germination &
prevented induction of
secondary dormancy
Reference
Pill, 1986
Halmer, 1988
Valdes et al. 1985;
Bennett, 1988
Khan 1992;
Osborn & Schroth
1989; Salvage &
Cox 1992
Khan 1992

59. Table-20: Effect of seed treatments in combination with polykoting on seed quality
parameters of chilli cv. K2
Treatment
T0- Control
T1- Polykote
T2[T1+ Carbendazim]
T3-[T1+ DAP]
T4[T1+Halogen]
T5
[T2+ DAP]
T6
[T2+ Halogen]
T7-[T4+DAP]
T8-[T5+Halogen]
S.Em±
Field
Root Shoot Seedling
Pathogen
Plant
Vigour
emerge
Rate of
Speed of Germinat
length length dry wt
infection
height 30
imbibition germination ion %
index
nce %
-1
(cm) (cm) (mg 10 )
%
DAS (cm)
(30 DAS)
41.9
46.5
2.52
2.68
66
73
5.80 5.58
6.30 5.99
0.031
0.037
843
950
7
4
48
50
5.05
5.34
48.7
2.42
80
6.54 6.02
0.037
1029
1
55
5.23
42.5
2.71
72
6.58 6.11
0.041
913
4
53
4.54
52.8
2.82
76
6.21 6.06
0.039
938
3
57
6.14
52.9
2.64
79
5.93 6.83
0.039
926
2
59
5.28
56.2
2.80
82
6.93 6.34
0.041
1044
1
62
7.89
54.0
52.6
0.14
2.48
2.24
0.05
73
72
4.57
5.81 5.83
5.86 5.71
0.32 0.30
0.039
0.037
-
872
804
78
4
2
0.23
57
60
0.13
6.00
6.36
0.64
Polykote @ 3g/kg of seeds,
Halogen mix @ 3g/kg of seeds.
Carbendazim @ 2g/kg of seeds, DAP @ 2g/kg of seeds.
(Geetharani et al., 2006, Coimbatore)

60. Table-21: Percent germination and index of vigor as affected by priming or
matriconditioning plus biological agents as seed treatments applied on hot
pepper seed lots infected by Colletotrichum capsici
Bio control agents
Germination (%)
Index of vigor (%)
Priming
Matriconditioning
Priming
Matriconditioning
Untreated
71 bA
65 aB
56 dA
54 abB
Bacillus sp.
79 aA
60 abB
72 bcA
58 aB
P. fluorescence
72 bA
57 bB
67 cA
49 bcB
T. harzianum
78 aA
60 abB
81 aA
56 aB
T. psudokonongii
78 aA
61 abB
75 abA
54 abB
Gliocladium sp
67 bA
51 cB
70 bcA
43 cB
Note : Means in the same rows suffixed with different letters or in the same column
with different lowercase are different at 5% levels of significance according to DMRT.
(Kumalasari et al., 2005, Andhra Pradesh)

61. Advantages of Seed Quality Enhancement Technology

Reduced seed rate

Early emergence and reduced time of emergence under
stress conditions

Supply of growth regulators/nutrients/beneficial microbes

Better nursery management

Helps
seedling
to
dominate
weeds
in
competition
for
nutrition

Field stand and uniformity

Minimum exposure to toxicant

Direct seeding of
seeds.

High turnover
conventionally transplanted vegetable

62. Seed Quality Enhancement is
a MUST to benefit both

63. Conclusion
It doesn’t END here
High germination and vigour are
not the only determinants
There is lot more to do,
a long way to go..

64. Conclusion
• Advances in polymer technology
• Seed testing research (Products in
pipeline)
– X ray, Chlorophyll fluorescence, Q2 technology,
Ethanol assay
– Molecular technology: Flow cytometry, Luminex®
MAPS, Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics
– Electrification
• Of course good seeds are produced in
field (breeding), enhancement is by seed
technologists