Abstract
Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is the second most valuable vegetable crop in value grown in Florida. Therefore, enhancement of pepper seed germination is vital to the Florida agriculture industry. Non-uniform germination of pepper seeds may be a problem in seedling establishment. Matriconditioning is a promising presowing seed hydration technique to improve seed germination. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum duration, temperature, and ratio (seed: carrier: water) of matriconditioning pepper seeds for improved germination percentage and mean germination time. Pepper cv. Long red cayenne seeds were selected due to their most favorable response to MC treatments. Seeds were matriconditioned using synthetic calcium silicate (Micro-Cel E) as a carrier at different matric potentials by altering the water content of the conditioning mixture. Beneficial effect of matriconditioning was most prominent at 30C for five days. Seed, carrier (Micro-Cel E), and water ratio was 1 g, 0.5 g, and 1.5 mL respectively. Matriconditioning increased final germination to 96.7%, compared with 82% in the control seeds. Furthermore, matriconditioning decreased mean germination time 10-fold, compared with a non-primed control. Matriconditioning treatment is recommended to improve seed germination performance of pepper.
