Seema Bedi and Rupinder Kaur
Abstract
Various seed invigoration treatments were used to improve the germination and early seedling establishment at low temperatures in maize cultivars, Sheetal and Buland (recommended for rabi season). Seed acclimation, soaking in KNO3 and ABA solutions, respectively, for 24 h improved mean days to germination and seedling vigour at I 0°C.There was an overall'Increase.in, various biochemical constituents (viz., sugars, proteins, proline, ascorbic acid).The peroxidase activity also increased following all the seed pre-treatments.There was thus an overall increase in various parameters that confer chilling tolerance and thereby improving germination and seedling establishment at low temperatures.