Performance of Bioprimed Chilli Seed under Moisture Stress Condition

Laboratory experiment was carried out using ‘PKM 1’ chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) seed to standardize bioprimed seeds under moisture stress condition inorder to improve seed germination and seedling vigour. To induce the moisture stress, optimize the different concentration of water holdings capacity viz., 80, 60, 40 and 20% were used for best bioprimed seed treatment (biocontrol agents (Pseudomonas fluorescens 60% 12 h, Trichoderma viride 60% 9 h) and liquid biofertilizers (Azospirillum 10% 9 h and Phosphobacteria 15% 9h )) along with hydroprimed seed and control seed. Seed bioprimed with Pseudomonas fluorescens 60% for 12 h improved the germination percentage ( 82), root length (14.2 cm), shoot length (6.2 cm), dry matter production (0.0489 g 10 seedlings-1) and vigour index (1673) compared to control seed. Seed biopriming with Pseudomonas fluorescens 60% for 12 h can be adopted to improve seed germination and seedling vigour under moisture stress condition upto 20%.