-(Viability and vigor of jamun (Syzygium cumini) seeds). Jamun (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels) (Black plum, Damson plum) fruits weigh between 2-5 g at maturity. Fresh seeds represented 20-80% of the total fruit weight; the seed coat and cotyledons contributed 6% and 94% to the total seed weight respectively, while the weight of the embryonic axis was insignifi cant. Only the embryonic axis stained with Tetrazolium, not the cotyledons. The seeds are polyembryonic with up to four embryos, of which at most three germinate. Decoated seeds germinated faster than coated seeds under nursery conditions, with high signifi cant germination percentages, dry matter production rates and vigor indices. The lack of staining of the cotyledon by tetrazolium was probably due to the presence of an impermeable layer. Decoating seeds for faster germination is recommended.

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Onion seeds were treated with water (hydropriming), sand (80% WHC) (Solid matrix priming), salts of KNO3 and NaCl at 3% (halopriming) for 12 h and 24 h and PEG (-0.25 MPa) for 8h and 12 h (osmopriming). Seeds grouped into two lots and dried to 7% and 8% MC were packed in Aluminium foil pouch and cloth bag respectively and stored for four months under ambient conditions (33°C and 57% RH). Results of the storage experiment revealed that all the eight priming treatments imposed upon onion seeds increased the speed of germination, germination percentage, seedling length, protein content and enzyme activity but lowered the electrical conductivity of seeds when compared to control. Among the treatments, seeds hydro primed with 80% sand for 24 h bestowed supremacy over the rest of the treatments throughout the period of storage in both containers. Between the containers, seeds stored in Aluminium foil pouch recorded significantly improved percentage of radicle protrusion and germination throughout the period of storage.

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This experiment was conducted during the year 2020-2021 in open field condition at three locations such as Madurai (Kalvelip-atti-L1), Ramnad (Thiruvarangam-L2) and Kunnathur (Peraiyur-L3) of Tamil Nadu, India to assess the effects of organic foliar sprays viz. Panchakavya, vermiwash and cow urine on yield and growth parameters of cluster bean ((Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.)Taub.) cv. Pusa Navbahar). Four treatments viz., control (T1), 5% Panchakavya (T2), 5% vermiwash (T3) and 5% cow urine (T4) were tried in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with five replications. The standard recommended cultural practices were followed for all the divided experimental plots. The maximum values of growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, number of pods, pod length (cm), pod weight/plant and pod yield were recorded by the treatment of 5% vermiwash over the control, followed by other foliar sprays. Among the locations, the maximum values of vegetative growth parameters were recorded in the location Kunnathur. Whereas, the maximum values of reproductive parameters like number of pods, pod length, pod weight and productivity were recorded in the location Madurai. The experiment revealed that vermiwash (5%), Panchakavya (5%) and cow urine (5%) can highly be recommended as foliar spray to reap high quantity clusterbean and benefit the farmers as well as consumers.