Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

A laboratory experiment was conducted under a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand, to assess the effect of accelerated ageing on seed quality of chilli. Seeds were subjected to ageing at 45°C and 95 to 100% RH for varying durations (0, 1, 2 and 3 days). Seeds without ageing (T₁ – 0 days) recorded the highest germination (96.50%), root length (3.17 cm), shoot length (4.62 cm), total seedling length (7.78 cm), fresh weight (0.47 g), dry weight (0.0321 g), vigour index I (751.01), and vigour index II (3.09). After one day of ageing (T₂), a noticeable deterioration in seed quality was recorded, which continued with prolonged ageing durations. The observed germination rate was 76.00%, with a root length (3.19 cm), shoot length (4.52 cm), total seedling length (7.72 cm), seedling fresh weight (0.45 g), seedling dry weight (0.0207 g) and vigour index I and II values (586.92) and (1.57), respectively. However, three days of ageing (T₄) reduced germination to 44.33%, root length (2.55 cm), shoot length (3.11 cm), seedling length to 5.65 cm, seedling fresh weight (0.19 g), seedling dry weight (0.0051 g), and vigour index I and II to 250.34 and 0.23, respectively.