Vol. 11, Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
A Elakiya, R Geetha, K Sujatha and T Sivakumar

Abstract:
Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) typically grown under rainfed conditions, it is more susceptible to water stress than other legume crops. Drought affects the crop during different growth stages and decreases the productivity. The current study was designed to assess the optimum concentration of osmoprotectants for seed priming to alleviate the water stress in green gram. Seeds were primed with proline at the concentration of 300, 350 and 400 ppm and glycine betaine at the concentration of 100, 150 and 200 ppm along with hydro priming, whereas unprimed seeds which served as control. Water stress was induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 at osmotic potential of -0.5 bar and -1.0 bar. The experimental results found that proline @ 350 ppm recorded the highest speed of germination (12.64), germination percentage of 83% and seedling vigour (14.94). Proline @ 350 ppm had the highest stress tolerance index 87.14% against the water stress than the hydro primed and unprimed seeds. Glycine betaine @ 150 ppm registered as the next best treatment. The unprimed seeds had registered the lowest seed quality parameters than the primed seeds.