Elucidating the Impact of Priming Substrates on Seedling Survival and Seed Quality of China Aster

Abstract

Germination or seed quality of China aster is a crucial feature affecting seedling survival and establishment whilst seeded directly in the field. Moreover, freak weather events in the changing climate scenario and biotic stress have often resulted in poor seedling quality and survival of China aster. Subsequently, to scrutinize the impact of a range of priming techniques on germination, seedling survival and growth of cv. Powderpuff of China aster newly introduced in Kashmir valley was undertaken at the Plant tissue Culture laboratory. Seeds were subjected to two treatment methods (3 hydro-priming and 2 halo-priming), constituting a total of six treatment combinations (P0-P5) in CRD (completely randomized design) with four replications. The analysed variables were seedling survival percentage, germination percentage, seedling collar diameter, seedling fresh weight, shoot/root ratio and the number of leaves/seedling. The analysed data on the influence of priming treatments on germination percentage is depicted that different priming agents are having a significant influence on pre and post-germination attributes. Significantly maximum germination percentage (87.50 %), seedling survival percentage (81.95), seedling fresh weight (0.0031g), seedling collar diameter (0.101 cm), number of leaves seedling-1 (7.01) and shoot-root ratio (1.044)was recorded in treatment P5 (2 % KNO3 18h) and minimum (42.50) in case of control (P0) i.e. un-primed seeds. Halo-conditioning with KNO3 for 12h significantly improved, germination percentage, seedling survival percentage, seedling diameter, leaf number per seedling and shoot-root ratio. In conclusion, KNO3 played a vital role in the establishment and survival of seedling in the field, under Kashmir conditions.