Effect of seed treatments using plant growth regulators on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling establishment, growth, seed yield and quality.

Abstract

A pot experiment was carried out during Rabi season of 2012-13 at research farm of ICAR-Directorate of Seed Research, Mau, Uttar Pradesh. Growth, seed yield, seed quality parameters and germination of three wheat varieties viz; HD 2733, PBW 550 and PBW 502 were studied.The wheat seeds were soaked in different solutions of 100 ppm concentration of gibberellic acid (GA3), indoleacetic acid (IAA), kinetin, 2,4-D amine salt and 2,4-D sodium salt prior to planting. Hydro-primed and control seeds were also taken. The results of the study showed significant differences in growth, seed yield and seed quality parameters among the wheat varieties and different growth regulator concentrations used. Seeds treated with 100 ppm GA3, IAA and kinetin showed significant increase in plant height, number of tillers/plant, spike length, spike weight, number of seed/spike, test weight, seed yield and harvest index than the rest of treatments. Seeds pre-soaked in distilled water responded poorly. Significant improvement in the seed quality parameters viz, germination %, seedling length, seedling dry weight and vigour index I and II were recorded for100 ppm GA3 over the rest of treatments. Among the varieties PBW 502 recorded significantly higher values for plant height, number of tillers/plant, spike length, spike weight, number of seeds/spike, seed weight/spike, test weight, seed yields, harvest index and seed quality parameters as compared to PBW 550 and HD 2733. The results emphasized that pre-sowing seed treatment of wheat seeds with GA3 and IAA could significantly enhance the germination %, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour index I and II.