ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res.

9(10), 485-494

Journal Homepage: - www.journalijar.com

Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/13570

DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/13570

RESEARCH ARTICLE
ENHANCEMENT OF SWEET GOURD SEEDLING QUALITIES PRIMING WITH H2O2

Md. Rahim Badsha1, Fahadul Haque2, Farzana Sultana2, Abdullah Al Mahmud1 and Aklima Khatun3
1. MS Student, Dept. of Horticulture, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU),
Dinajpur.
2. Assistant Director, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Motijheel, Dhaka.
3. Department of Agricultural Extension, Khamarbari, Dhaka.
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Manuscript Info Abstract
……………………. ………………………………………………………………
Manuscript History A study with three independent experiments for the seeds of three
Received: 24 August 2021 vegetable species was set at the roof top of Sunway Dormitory near the
Final Accepted: 27 September 2021 Bus Terminal, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, during March to May, 2019. The
Published: October 2021 aims were to evaluate the physiological fluctuations in the seeds of
sweet gourd cv. Monitaraprimed with the aqueous solutions of H 2O2
and to find the suitable concentration. Each experiment had eight
treatments: T1 (control/no priming), T2 (hydro-priming in plain H2O)
and other six aquatic solutions of H2O2: T3 (0.5), T4 (1.0), T5 (1.5), T6
(2.0), T7 (2.5) and T8 (3.0%). The seeds were soaked for six hours in
those seven media (T2 toT8). The seeds were dibbled in wooden seed
flats filled-in with coarse sand. The experiments were laid-out in the
Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data
collected for the 13 traits viz. % germination, % abnormal seedlings,
shoot length, root length, seedling length, shoot dry matter, root dry
matter, seedling dry matter, number of secondary roots (>1cm) per
seedling, number of true leaves per seedling, relative growth rate,
seedling vigor index, and root : shoot ratio (dry weight basis). Except
the first two traits, the rest 11 were collected at three stagesviz.10, 20
and 30 days after dibbling (DAD). It was lucid that H2O2 was
significantly (P≤0.05%) effective to improve most of the traits noted.
Treatment T4 (1% concentration) was utmost helpful for sweet gourd
and >1.5%, others were toxic and hindered the maximum parameters
for all the three species. Nevertheless, further studies with different
varieties of those three vegetables species with variable doses of H 2O2,
priming time and temperature could be explored before drawing valid
conclusions.

Copy Right, IJAR, 2021,. All rights reserved.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………....
Introduction:-
Vegetables are not equally produced throughout the year in the country. Of the total production, less than 25% is
produced during Kharif season and more than 75% is in the Rabi season (Anon. 1993). Leaves and even flowers of
sweet gourd could be used as vegetables which are rich in various nutrients (Gopalanet al. 1982). The main nutrients
are lutein and both alpha and beta carotene, the later of which generates vitamin A in the body (Tecson, 2001).
Pumpkin is a vegetable that fulfill the needs of healthy nourishment (Kadamet al. 2014). Its seeds are admirable

Corresponding Author:- Md. Rahim Badsha 485

Address:- MS Student, Dept. of Horticulture, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology
University (HSTU), Dinajpur.
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cradle of protein and furthermore having the pharmacological properties such as antifungal, anti-diabetic and anti-
inflammation characteristics (Nkosiet al. 2006). The seed extracts have been used as an antidiabetic, antitumor,
antibacterial, anticancer and antioxidant (Cl et al.2006).

Seed germination is one of the vital stages in the life cycle of seeded plants. Germination is a very complex process
starting with the imbibition of H2O and involves events related with the transition of a dry quiescent and/or dormant
seed to the metabolically active state (Kranneret al., 2011, and Schopferet al., 2001). The emergence of the
embryonic axis through structures surrounding the embryo is the final stage of germination (Weitbrechtet al., 2011).
In this link, seed priming is used as a means to enhance seed performance, notably in terms to the rate and the
uniformity of germination (Taylor and Harman, 1998). Seed priming is known as the pre-sowing approach to govern
seed germination and seedling development by modulating pre-germination metabolic activities prior to emergence
of the radicle and usually enhances germination rate and plant growth (Bradford, 1986, and Taylor and Harman,
1998).Various physiological and bio-chemical changes happen in seeds during priming as a result of osmotic
conditioning. A wide range of pre-sowing hydration techniques is used to enhance seed germination responses.
These include equilibrium under conditions of high humidity (Finnertyet al., 1992), soaking in plain H2O (Coolbear
and McGill, 1990) or osmotic solutions (Knypl and Khan, 1981) and having equilibrium with a matric potential
controlling surface (Hardegree and Emmerich, 1992). Hydro-priming, osmo-priming (with mannitol or PEG 6000)
and halo-priming (with KCl, KNO3 or calcium salts) are effective for seedling establishment under harsh conditions
(Toselli and Casenav, 2003). The priming enhances rapid and uniform emergence, high vigor and better yield, which
has practical utilities, preferably under water stress conditions (Black et al., 2006).

H2O2 is a reactive molecule playing crucial roles in plants, especially under unfavorable germination conditions,
developmental processes and in resisting stresses in reactive oxygen species/ROS (El-Maarouf-Bouteau and Bailly,
2008). H2O2 acts as a signaling molecule in the beginning of seed germination involving specific changes at the
proteomic, transcriptomic and hormonal levels (Afghani and Taheri, 2012, and Demiret al., 2012). Priming of seeds
with H2O2 leads to break primary dormancy (Jann and Amen, 1997); secondary dormancy provoked by salinity
(Jiaet al., 2002) and germination inhibitors (Ogawa and Masaki, 2001). It acts as a stress signal in plants and hence
exogenous uses of H2O2 in the right dose ameliorates seed germination, reduces time to germinate and seedling
growth in many crops (Patadeet al., 2012). So, it has special roles, especially in invigorating seeds with low vigor
including long-term stored seeds in gene banks.So, instead of H2O, seed priming with aqueous solution of H2O2 with
the appropriate dose could be an applicable technology (Copeland and Mcdonald, 1985). The objective of the study
was to evaluate the physiological changes of the seedlings of sweet gourd primed with of H2O2and find the best
concentration.

Materials And Methods:-

The present research work was conducted at the roof top of Sunway Dormitory near the Bus Terminal, Dinajpur,
Bangladesh.The seeds of sweet gourdcv. Monitara used as the testing seed materials and collected from the Popular
Seed Limited, Bangladesh.

Experimental treatments
This single factor experiment was designed with eight treatments viz. T 1 (control/no priming), T2 (hydro-priming in
plain H2O) and other six aquatic solutions of H2O2: T3 (0.5%), T4 (1.0%), T5 (1.5%), T6 (2.0%), T7 (2.5%) and T8
(3.0%). This single factor experiment was set in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three
replications.

Seed flats and their arrangements

The seed were debbled in wooden seed flats (50 cm ×50 cm ×15cm). Firstly; the flats were set on the roof top. Then
blue polyethylene sheet was spread at the bottom of the flats to protect washing away of sand from the seed flats.
Then flats were filled-in with coarse sand.

Preparation of the required H2O2 solutions

The required solutions were prepared by diluting the required amounts of the H 2O2 (30% strength, Plate 1) with H2O
to get these six concentrations: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0%.

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Plate 1:- The container of the H2O2(30%)used in the study.

Priming process
At first, only H2O and those six solutions were taken in plastic glasses separately. The glasses were marked about
the treatments and replications with a permanent glass marker. Then the 200 seeds for each replication were taken in
plastic glasses to soak in the desired solutions for six hours in the Laboratory of Horticulture (Plate 2).

Plate 2:- Priming process with H2O2.

Dibbling the seeds and caring the seedlings

The unprimed and the primed seeds were then dibbling immediately in the seed flats (Plate 3) at the depth of 2cm in
lines on the 10th March, 2019 at the distance of 5cm between rows and seeds too. After sowing, the seeds were
covered with hyaline polyethylene sheet and concrete poles (at one foot high) to protect the seeds and seedlings
from heavy rainfall. Light watering with a watering cane was done as needed. Hand weeding was also done as per
need.

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Plate 3:- Growingthe seedlings in the seed flats.

Data collection
The data were collected for % germination and % abnormal seedlings at 10 days of dibbling and shoot length, root
length, seedling length, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, seedling dry matter, number of secondary roots (>1cm) per
seedling, number of true leaves per seedling, relative growth rate, seedling vigor index, and root shoot ratio (dry
weight basis) at 10, 20 and 30 DAD.

Germination (%) and normal seedling (%) were observed and counted as per the ISTA (2010) rules daily up to 10
DAD. For dry matter the normal seedlings were cut and divided into roots and shoots with a razor blade from each
treatment and replication wise. Then those were first sundried separately for two days. After that, those were dried at
80°C for 48 hours in an electric oven (Memmrert, ULP 400). Then the dry weights of shoots were recorded up to
four decimal places with an electric digital balance (Ohaus, pioneer pro PA214). Finally, the dry weights were
expressed in gram per 100-seedling basis. Those processes were repeated with the normal seedlings only obtained
from the 10, 20 and 30 DAD. Relative growth rate (RGR)was calculated as per Williams (1946) formula and
Seedling vigor index (SVI) was calculated as per Orchard (1977) and Baki and Anderson (1973) viz. SVI = Mean
seedling (root + shoot) length (MSL) in cm ×% germination (PG)

Statistical analyses
The analyses of variances (ANOVA) were done and the means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test
(DMRT). The MSTAT-C Statistical Package program was used for it.

Results And Discussion:-

Germination %
There was significant variation (P≤0.05) in percentage of germination among the treatments (Fig. 1).The maximum
germination was recorded in T4 (90.00) while the minimum was in T8 (81.33%). Priming of seeds with H2O2 changes
the germination mechanism due to improved breaking primary and secondary dormancies and prevents suffocation.
In this study, the highest % germination (93.67) was found in seeds primed with 1% H2O2. Similar results were also
obtained by Nandi et al. (2017) in chili seeds found better germination at 2% concentration of H2O2.That variation
could be due to the uses of different seed species. In addition, the higher doses (>1%) of H2O2 probably caused
deleterious effects on the germination process and so, it became poor, even than the unprimed and the hydro-primed
seeds. The H2O2 levels >2% resulted in severe injury to germinating seeds (John and Duval, 2000. Mustafa (2017)
studied cucumber, swampcabbage, radish and Indian spinach seeds and had better germination at 1% H2O2. While
working with bitter gourd and bottle gourd, Lima (2017) found better germination at 1.5% H2O2. But Iqbal et al.
(2001) found higher germination in sweet gourd seeds at 2% concentration with H2O2.Furthermore, Kaya et al.
(2006) reported that priming increased % germination of sunflower seeds under drought stress.

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90.00 a
90

87.00 ab

85.67 ab

85.33 ab
88
Percentage Germination (%)

86

83.33 b

82.33 b
82.00 b
84

81.33 b
82

80

78

76
T₁ T₂ T₃ T₄ T₅ T₆ T₇ T₈

Treatment

Fig.1:- Effect of seed priming with H2O2 on the % germination of sweet gourd.

Abnormal seedlings (%)

There were significant differences (P≤0.05) in % abnormal seedlings among treatments (Fig. 2). The highest %
abnormal seedlings were documented in T8 (5.66) while the lowest was noted in T4 (2.00). The results showed that
the incidence of abnormal seedling increased with increasing of H 2O2 concentrations which might be due to the
harmful effects. Mustafa (2017) andLima (2017) noted the minimum% abnormal seedlings with 1.5% while the
maximum at the 3% H2O2. Kaya et al. (2006) reported that priming reduced the number of abnormal seedlings of
sunflower under drought stress.

5.66 a
5.00 a

5.00 a

6
4.66 ab
Percentage Abnormality (%)

4.00 ab

5
3.00 bc

3.00 bc

4
2.00 c

0
T₁ T₂ T₃ T₄ T₅ T₆ T₇ T₈

Treatment

Fig. 2:- Effect of seed priming with H2O2 on the %abnormal seedlings of sweet gourd.

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Shoot, root and seedling length

The results show that the shoot length varied significantly among the treatments at all the three DADs(Table 1). In
case of the 10, 20 and 30DAD, the longest shoot was found in T 4 (6.68, 8.94 and 9.73 cm) but the shortest one was
observed in T8 (5.53, 9.73 and 8.62cm). The highest root length 10, 20 and 30 DAD and was found in T 4 (5.34, 13.46
and 20.02 cm) while the lowest was observed in T8 (4.02, 11.46 and 20.02 cm).At the 10, 20 and 30 DAD, the tallest
seedling was found in T4 (12.03, 22.40 and 28.75 cm) but the least was observed T 8 (9.55, 15.25 and 24.54 cm).
H2O2 influenced the vegetative growth of seedlings and the ultimate result was the longest seedlings compared to
control. During the period of seedling growth, the highest shoot length was found when seeds were primed with 1%
H2O2 and the least was found when 3% H2O2 was used. The H2O2 treatment can increase shoot length which may be
useful for direct seeding as rapid growth of seedling is vital for the better establishment of seedlings in direct
seeding (Ogiwara and Terashima, 2001). However, the applications of H2O2 at doses of 1.8mM each eight days
broccoli seedlings, increased the stem length and fresh weight, whereas the dose 1.4mM increased the biomass of
broccoli seedlings (León-Vargas et al., 2016). In bitter gourd and bottle gourd seeds, Lima (2017) measured the
minimumshoot, root and seedling length with 1.5% whiles the maximum at the 3% H2O2. Mustafa (2017) also noted
the minimum shoot, root and shoot length with swampcabbage, radish and Indian spinach seeds at 1% but the
maximum with 3% H2O2.Nandi et al. (2017) noted the maximum root length in seedlings of chilli raised from the
seeds treated with the 1.0% H2O2.

Table 1:- Effect of priming seedwith H2O2 onshoot, root and seedling length in sweet gourd.
Treatme Shoot length (cm) Root length (cm) Seedling length (cm)
nts 10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD 10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD 10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD
T1 6.38ab 8.77ab 9.08bc 5.07ab 11.76c 17.87a 11.46ab 20.54a 26.96ab
T2 5.95bc 8.13cd 9.27ab 4.37cd 12.60b 19.52a 10.33c 20.73a 28.79a
T3 6.26ab 8.33bc 9.39ab 5.03ab 12.56b 19.05a 11.30ab 20.89a 28.44a
T4 6.68a 8.94a 9.73a 5.34a 13.46a 20.02a 12.03a 22.40a 28.75a
T5 6.08abc 8.00cd 8.97bc 4.79bc 11.62c 17.41a 10.74bc 19.63a 26.38bc
T6 5.86bc 7.67de 8.99bc 4.47c 12.65b 12.82b 10.34c 20.33a 25.15bc
T7 6.22ab 7.79de 9.06bc 4.56c 11.70c 16.74ab 10.79bc 19.50a 25.80bc
T8 5.53c 7.45e 8.62c 4.02d 11.46c 16.03ab 9.555d 15.25b 24.54c
LSD(0.05) 0.619 0.476 0.522 0.418 0.771 3.772 0.751 3.705 1.794
CV % 5.78 3.35 3.26 5.07 3.60 12.36 3.97 10.63 3.81
The figures with different letters differ among themselves at the 5% level of probability.
T1 = Control/no priming, T2 =Hydro-priming in plain H2O), T3 = 0.5% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T4 = 1.0% aquatic
solutions of H2O2, T5 = 1.5% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T6 = 2.0% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T7 = 2.5% aquatic
solutions of H2O2 and T8 = 3.0% aquatic solutions of H2O2

Shoot, root and seedling dry matter

There was statistically significant variation (P≤0.05) in shoot, root and seedling dry matter accumulation among the
treatments at all the three DADs (Table 2). At the 10, 20 and 30DAD, the maximum dry matter of shoots was
observed in T4 (14.22, 20.97 and 32.07 g) while the minimum was recorded in T 8 (10.79, 17.24 and 25.64g). The
highest dry matter of roots at the 10, 20 and 30 DAD, was found in T 4 (2.60, 7.20 and 9.73 g) but the lowest was
recorded T8 (1.70, 3.99 and 6.85g). At 10, 20 and 30 DAD, the topmost dry matter of seedlings was found in T 4
(16.83, 28.17 and 41.80 g) but the lowest was observed in T8 (12.70, 21.23 and 32.49g). In addition, the higher doses
(>1%) of H2O2 probably caused harmful effects on the shoot and so, it became poor, even than the unprimed and the
hydro-primed seeds. However, the applications of H2O2 at doses of 1.8mM each eight days broccoli seedlings,
increased the stem length and fresh weight, whereas the dose 1.4m increased the biomass of broccoli seedlings
(León-Vargas et al.,2016). In bitter gourd and bottle gourd seeds, Lima (2017) experienced the maximum shoot, root
and seedling dry matter primed with the 1.5% H2O2. In contrast, Mustafa (2017) recorded the maximum shoot, root
and seedling dry matter with swampcabbage, radish and Indian spinach seeds at 1% but the minimum shoot, root
and seedling dry matter with 3% H2O2. Above 1.0%, others were toxic and hindered most of the parameters
(Mustafa, 2017).Kaya et al. (2006) reported that priming increased the soot, root and seedling dry weight of
sunflower under drought stress.

Table 2:- Effect of priming seedwith H2O2 onshoot, root and seedling dry matter of sweet gourd.
Treatments Shoot dry matter Root dry matter Seedling dry matter

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10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD 10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD 10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD

T1 12.51b 18.99bc 27.41de 2.06bc 5.42b 7.97b 14.57bc 24.41b 35.38c
T2 12.07bc 19.06bc 28.11cd 2.04bc 4.84bc 7.59bc 14.12bc 23.90b 35.70c
T3 11.44cd 18.46cd 30.35b 2.34ab 4.72bc 8.02b 13.78c 23.19bc 38.38b
T4 14.22a 20.97a 32.07a 2.60a 7.20a 9.73a 16.83a 28.17a 41.80a
T5 12.58b 19.82ab 29.35bc 2.20b 4.66bc 7.24bc 14.78b 24.49b 35.99c
T6 12.11bc 18.19cd 27.70de 2.06bc 6.46a 7.19bc 14.18bc 24.65b 34.89c
T7 12.56b 17.66d 26.62ef 1.84cd 4.26c 8.15b 14.41bc 21.93cd 34.76c
T8 10.79d 17.24d 25.64f 1.70d 3.99c 6.85c 12.70d 21.23d 32.49d
LSD (0.05) 0.861 1.167 1.371 0.298 0.989 0.928 0.823 1.543 2.010
CV % 4.00 3.54 2.76 8.14 10.87 6.76 3.26 3.67 3.17
The figures with different letters differ among themselves at the 5% level of probability.
T1 = Control/no priming, T2 =Hydro-priming in plain H2O), T3 = 0.5% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T4 = 1.0% aquatic
solutions of H2O2, T5 = 1.5% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T6 = 2.0% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T7 = 2.5% aquatic
solutions of H2O2 and T8 = 3.0% aquatic solutions of H2O2

Number of secondary roots andtrue leaves per seedling

The number of secondary roots and true leaves was statistically significant variation (P≤0.05) among the treatments
at the 10, 20 and the 30DADs( Table 3). At the 10, 20 and 30DAD, the maximum number of secondary roots and
true leaves was counted in T4 (11.05, 14.35 and 21.53) while the minimum was observed in T 8 (6.00, 9.67 and18.01).
At the 10, 20 and 30 DAD, the utmost number of true leaves was experienced in T 4 (0.93, 3.14 and 4.36) while the
minimum was recorded in T8 (0.80, 2.50 and 4.36). Similar kindsof result were also reported by Lima (2017) in bitter
gourd and bottle gourd where the highest number of secondary roots and true leaves was at 1.5% concentration of
H2O2. Again, Mustafa (2017) recorded the number of secondary roots and true leaves per seedlingof cucumber,
swampcabbage, radish and Indian spinach seeds primed with 1% H2O2.However, when the concentrations of H2O2
came up to 5mM, it played an opposite role to inhibit the growth of adventitious roots and seriously damaged those
(Deng et al.,2012).

Table 3:- Effect of priming seedwith H2O2 on number of secondary root and true leaves of sweet gourd.
Treatments Number of secondary roots Number of true leaves
10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD 10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD
T1 6.85def 12.36cd 21.08ab 0.860b 3.13a 4.61b
T2 7.25cde 13.30b 18.50cd 0.833bc 2.56a 4.50b
T3 9.33b 10.81e 20.94ab 0.883ab 2.55a 4.55b
T4 11.05a 14.35a 21.53a 0.933a 3.14a 5.03a
T5 8.31bc 10.25ef 18.40cd 0.850bc 2.59a 4.66ab
T6 7.75cd 13.20bc 18.50cd 0.850bc 2.85a 4.61b
T7 6.21ef 11.85d 19.75bc 0.866b 2.85a 4.63b
T8 6.00f 9.67f 18.01d 0.800c 2.50a 4.36b
LSD (0.05) 1.124 0.889 1.479 0.055 0.638 0.375
CV % 8.18 4.25 4.31 4.11 13.16 4.63
The figures with different letters differ among themselves at the 5% level of probability.
T1 = Control/no priming, T2 =Hydro-priming in plain H2O), T3 = 0.5% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T4 = 1.0% aquatic
solutions of H2O2, T5 = 1.5% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T6 = 2.0% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T7 = 2.5% aquatic
solutions of H2O2 and T8 = 3.0% aquatic solutions of H2O2

Seedling vigor index (SVI)

There was significant variation (P≤0.05) in seedling vigor index among the treatments at all the three DADs (Bar
diagram.3.11 and Appendix III) judged. At 10, 20 and 30 DAD maximum value was found in T 4 (1083.0, 2016 and
2588) while the minimum value was in T8 (777.0, 1511 and 1996).Similar types of results were also reported by
Nandi et al. (2017) in chili seeds. In addition, the higher doses (>1%) of H2O2 might cause deleterious effects on the
seedlings and so, it became less, even than the unprimed and the hydro-primed seeds. While working with yard long
bean seeds, Lima (2017) noted seedling vigor index at 1% H2O2.

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Table 4:- Effect of seed priming with H2O2 on Seedling vigor index,relative growth rate and root shoot ratio of
sweet gourd.
Treatments Seedling vigor index Relative growth rate Root shoot ratio
10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD 10-20 20-30 10 DAD 20 DAD 30 DAD
DAD DAD
T1 997.0b 1787b 2346b 0.050a 0.083a 0.156a 0.280b 0.286a
T2 884.9c 1776b 2466ab 0.046a 0.090a 0.163a 0.250b 0.266a
T3 941.6bc 1763b 2370b 0.046a 0.096a 0.200a 0.250b 0.260a
T4 1083.0a 2016a 2588a 0.046a 0.090a 0.176a 0.336a 0.286a
T5 881.0c 1609c 2163c 0.046a 0.086a 0.170a 0.230b 0.243a
T6 882.3c 1735b 2146cd 0.053a 0.083a 0.166a 0.350a 0.253a
T7 888.1c 1605c 2124cd 0.036a 0.086a 0.143a 0.240b 0.300a
T8 777.0d 1511d 1996d 0.050a 0.090a 0.153a 0.226b 0.263a
LSD (0.05) 62.50 53.88 153.2 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055
CV % 3.89 1.78 3.85 10.87 5.45 10.04 12.07 7.21
The figures with different letters differ among themselves at the 5% level of probability.
T1 = Control/no priming, T2 =Hydro-priming in plain H2O), T3 = 0.5% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T4 = 1.0% aquatic
solutions of H2O2, T5 = 1.5% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T6 = 2.0% aquatic solutions of H2O2, T7 = 2.5% aquatic
solutions of H2O2 and T8 = 3.0% aquatic solutions of H2O2

Relative growth rate (RGR)

There was insignificant difference for the relative growth rate among the treatments compared (Table 4). Mustafa
(2017) found highest relative growth rate at 3% (0.22). Moreover, in bitter gourd seed and bottle gourd seeds, Lima
(2017) found relative growth rate in control/no priming (0.11) .

Root: shoot ratio (dry weight basis)

There was insignificant difference for the root: shoot ratio among the treatments at all the three DADs(Table 4).
Lima (2017) noted the maximum root: shoot ratio (0.34) in seedlings of yard long been observed from the seeds
treated with the 1% H2O2. But the excessive accumulation of H2O2 leads to cellular oxidative damage and even
programmed death (Levine et al., 1994 and Prasad et al., 1994) and thus becomes poisonous for seedlings.

Conclusions:-
It canbe concluded thatH2O2had optimistic effects on the seedling qualities. Again, among the six concentrations of
the H2O2, 1%was the most effective one for sweet gourd and sweet gourd while 1.5% was suitable for radish seeds.
Above those concentrations, others were somewhat toxic as those hindered a lot of the parameters evaluated.

References:-
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India, referred by R.G. Smith, Home Economicst, M.C.C. pp. 23-29.
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Division, Manila.
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