Effect of Seed Priming on Germination, Plant Growth and Flowering of Cockscomb (Celosia spp.) Under Prayagraj Agro Climatic Conditions

Abstract

The present experiment was carried out during August, 2021 to January, 2022 in Research Field, Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj. The experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD), with nine treatments, replicated thrice, with an aim to identify the most suitable variety under the agro climatic conditions of Prayagraj. From the present experimental findings, It is concluded from the present investigations that nine treatments under study showed significant variation in all the parameters observed. To study on effect of seed priming on germination, plant growth and flowering of cockscomb (Celosia spp.). The experiment consisted with two varieties i.e Celosia cristata L. and Celosia argentea var. spicata. seeds were primed with CaCl₂ and salicylic acid. Celosia cristata L. Seeds were primed with CaCl₂ (0.56% and (2%), Salicylic Acid (0.02% and 0.04%). Celosia argentea var. spicata seed were primed with CaCl₂ (4% and 6%), Salicylic Acid (0.06% and 0.08%) the best performance in terms of Days to first seedling emergence (8.33), Days to 50% emergence (11.33), Mean emergence time (11.20), Emergence percentage (92), Emergence index (2), Vigor index (901.33), plant height (68.55 cm), number of leaves (47.44), days taken to flower bud formation (21.88), days taken to flowering (31.88), number of flowers per plant (25.44) and benefit cost ratio (7.58) gave best result in T₅ Salicylic acid 0.004% as compared to other treatments in terms of seedling, growth and floral parameters.