Effect of Seed Priming on Germination and Initial Growth of China Aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees.] Varieties

The present investigation was carried out at Floriculture Research Farm, ACHF, NAU, Navsari during August-November, 2019 in CRD with factorial concept with three replications comprising two varieties and twelve different seed priming treatments. The findings revealed that significantly maximum speed of germination (24.45), germination percentage at 7th and 14th day (71.50 and 90.00, respectively), root length (6.63 cm), seedling length (17.70 cm), seedling fresh and dry weight (1618.00 mg and 141.33 mg, respectively), seed vigour index-I and II (1627.62 and 10082.00, respectively) was recorded in seeds of var Arka Archana primed with GA3 @ 100 ppm for 24 hrs (V1T5) followed by GA3 50 ppm for 24 hrs. Whereas, rest of all the characters were found non-significant but maximum shoot length (11.07 cm), minimum mean germination time (13.67 days) and days required to reach the 5th leaf stage (29.60) were obtained in same treatment (V1T5). Moreover, poor performance was recorded in seeds of var Arka Kamini treated with Nauroji Novel organic liquid fertilizer @ 2 % for 24 hrs (V2T12).