Germination Studies of Clay-coated Sweet Pepper Seeds1

Abstract

Abstract Seed germination of sweet pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) is inhibited after the seed is coated. The inhibitory effect of pellet-coating of ‘Early Calwonder’ pepper seed was caused by the physical properties of the coating materials. Clay coating limited part of the oxygen (O 2 ) from reaching the germinating seed and provided a mechanical barrier to protrusion of the radicle. Clay-coated pepper seed germinated satisfactorily on filter paper in a high O 2 environment or with minimum moisture on agar. Pellet coating formulations which would provide more O 2 to the imbibing seed would assure comparable germination of raw and coated sweet pepper seed.