Improvement of Seedling Performance of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Seeds

Abstract

This research was carried out to improve seedling performances of pepper and eggplant seeds which has germination/emergence problem, especially in seedling conditions. By this purpose, the seeds were subject to three different treatments before sowing [polymer film coating, polymer film coating including 0,2 % KNO3, and 0,2 % KNO3 addition to germination media]. The effects of the applications on the germination/emergence rate, the mean germination / emergence time and some seedling quality characteristics were determined. The seeds treated with KNO3 germinated / emergenced faster than untreated seeds in both species. In this application, the germination/emergence ratio were high (92,48%, 90,57%, respectively), and also mean germination/emergence time were short (5,17 days, 9.95 days, respectively). A similar result was obtained from eggplant seeds with treated with KNO3. While mean germination time was 4,64 days, mean emergence time was 9,70 days.