~ 2837 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018; 7(5): 2837-2840 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2018; 7(5): 2837-2840 Received: 10-07-2018 Accepted: 12-08-2018 P Suma Varshini Department of Seed Science and Technology, Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India Dr. K Bayyapu Reddy Department of Seed Science and Technology, Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, Andhara Pradesh, India Dr. K Radhika Department of Seed Science and Technology, Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India Dr. V Saida Naik Agricultural Research Station, Jangamaheswara Puram, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India Correspondence P Suma Varshini Department of Seed Science and Technology, Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricdultural University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India Influence of seed invigoration treatments on germination and vigor of chickpea P Suma Varshini, Dr. K Bayyapu Reddy, Dr. K Radhika and Dr. V Saida Naik Abstract The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of invigoration treatments on seed germination, seedling growth and vigor of aged seed of chickpea, by subjecting one year old seed of chickpea to various invigoration treatments viz., hydration, hydration followed by seed treatment with thiram, seed treatment with 50 ppm GA3, 2% KH2PO4, 2% CaCl2 and 2% KNO3 for 8 hours and osmo- conditioning with -0.5 MPa PEG for 6 hours followed by shade drying to 9% moisture content. The invigorated aged seed along with untreated aged seed and fresh seed (check) was tested for germination and seedling quality. Among the invigoration treatments, seed treated with CaCl 2 and osmo-conditioning with PEG showed significantly higher germination and other seed quality traits over untreated aged seed. The germination and seedling vigor index in CaCl2 treated seed were significantly higher than that in fresh seed also. Keywords: Calcium chloride, chickpea, invigoration, seed quality Introduction Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a rainfed, low input and winter leguminous crop used in various foods by several developing countries, particularly in India. It plays an important role in human nutrition as a source of protein, energy, fiber, vitamins and minerals for large population sectors in the developing world. However, the productivity is low and unstable as most of the area under chickpea cultivation is rainfed. Poor germination and low seed viability are the serious problems limiting the production of chickpea. These conditions result in poor emergence that may subsequently cause sparse plant stands in the field. Seed is usually produced in excess as a precaution against germination failure and also against failure of crop in the subsequent crop growth period. Such left over seed when stored for sowing in subsequent season through the hot and humid monsoon periods looses viability and vigour. Seed priming is one of the simple and suitable methods which can improve seedling vigor and establishment and consequently crop performance in the field (McDonald, 2000) [1] . Seed priming involves controlled hydration of seed to enhance the metabolic activity within the seed but preventing radicle emergence. Pre-sowing soaking treatment of seed leads to redistribution of nutrients, increased tissue hydration, enhanced respiratory activity and stimulation of seedling growth and development. The product of these changes persists following desiccation and is available on re-imbibition of water during seed sowing, enabling completion of seed germination rapidly. Seed being a living entity, deterioration in its quality occurs with the advancement in ageing which is irreversible and continuous process. Under invigoration, metabolic repair occur in the deteriorated seed before the onset of germination process. The efficiency of different priming agents varies under different stresses and in different crop species (Ashraf and Foolad, 2005) [2] . Keeping this in view, the present study was conducted to study the impact of different seed invigoration treatments on seed germination and seedling vigor in aged seed of chickpea. Material and methods The present investigation was carried out during 2017-18 in completely randomized design with four replications in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The fresh (Rabi, 2016-17 harvested) and aged (Rabi, 2015-16 harvested) seed of chickpea variety, NBeG-3, was obtained from the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal. Aged (Rabi, 2015-16 harvested) seed of chickpea variety, NBeG-3, having initial germination of 81.75% was subjected to various seed invigoration treatments viz., hydration, hydration followed by seed treatment with thiram, seed treatment with 50 ppm GA3, 2% KH2PO4, 2%