Abstract

Pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Azad P1) seeds lost viability at a rapid pace under accelerated ageing condition. Pretreatment of the seeds with leaf extracts of bel (Aegel marmelos) and kalmegh (Andrographis  paniculata) 50g in 250ml distilled water of each for 6 hours before accelerated ageing treatment (100% RH and 30±2^°C) for different durations for 45 days under the accelerated ageing condition slowed down the ageing-induced rapid loss of  seed germination. Plant performance was found to be much better when they were developed from seeds which underwent plant extract pretreatments. This was measured in terms of field emergence capacity, root length, shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight of the plants. Again, plant potential was also higher in the pretreatments as evidenced from the treatment-induced higher chlorophyll and protein levels as well as activities of catalase and peroxidase enzymes. Results, therefore, pointed out that in spite of experiencing accelerated ageing treatment, the plant extract-pretreated seeds retained higher seed vigour and produced healthier plants.

Key words: Pea, accelerated ageing, bel, kalmegh, seed germination, plant potentiation.