Effect of seed size on germination and seedling performance during storage of bhekal (Prinsepia utilis) seeds

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of various grades of Prinsepia utilis (bhekal) seeds on germination and seedlings performance during storage. Freshly collected seeds were grouped into three sub-lots viz. large size seeds (size 10 mm or > 10 mm), medium size seeds (size < 10 mm and > 7 mm), and small size seeds (size < 7 mm) with the help of specified sieves. Seeds of all grades were sown in nursery beds as fresh and after 35 days of storage. Various grades of seeds had shown significant effect on germination percentage as fresh and after 35 days of storage. Large size seeds exhibited significantly higher germination percentage, lower mean germination time, and higher germination values as compared to medium and small size seeds. Only small size seeds significantly exhibited lower germination percentage, higher mean germination time (MGT), and lower germination values as compared to large and medium-size seeds. However, no significant difference was observed in Germination Value (GV) and germination percentage between large and medium size seeds. The large size seeds exhibited a significantly good value of seedling length, the number of leaves, collar diameter, total biomass, vigour index, sturdiness quotient, volume index and quality index as compared to medium and small size seeds.