Indian Journal of Agricultural Research

  • Chief EditorT. Mohapatra

  • Print ISSN 0367-8245

  • Online ISSN 0976-058X

  • NAAS Rating 5.20

  • SJR .258 (2022)

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Temperature and Light Effects on Germination Behaviour of African Eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) Seeds

H.M. Botey, J.O. Ochuodho, L. Ngode, H. Dwamena, I. Osei-Tutu
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1CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.
Cite article:- Botey H.M., Ochuodho J.O., Ngode L., Dwamena H., Osei-Tutu I. (2022). Temperature and Light Effects on Germination Behaviour of African Eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) Seeds. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. 56(2): 122-128. doi: 10.18805/IJARe.A-623.
Background: A preliminary study of the African eggplant seeds obtained from farmers sources recorded a wide variation in percentage germination under ambient conditions (25±2°C). The germination percentage ranged from 0% to 25%, while fresh seeds ranged between 53% and 87%. As temperature and light are important factors of seed germination, the current study investigated the effect of temperature on the germination pattern and the influence of light interaction with temperature on seed germination of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) under controlled conditions.
Methods: Seeds of two cultivars of African eggplant were subjected to constant and alternating temperatures and under three light exposure regimes. Seed quality was accessed by per cent germination, mean germination time, time to reach 50% germination, germination index and mean daily germination.
Result: The highest percentage germination under constant temperatures was recorded at 25°C (76%) and 20°C (74%). The maximum temperature and light conditions required for maximum seed germination quality (76-95%) at the shortest time (4-5 days) was 30/20°C under alternating 8/16 hours light and dark.

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