DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES IN SEEDLINGS OF Luffa cylindrica M. ROEM. AND Momordica charantia L. DUE TO THE SEED GERMINATION TREATMENTS

Increase the germination of seed and breakdown the dormancy is the major issue among plants of Cucurbitaceae family due to the presence of hard seed coat. Seeds of both Luffa cylindrica and Momordica charantia have hard seed coat with thick seed structure. Also, deposition of phenolic compounds including pectin and/or suberin on the surface of the seed coat, restrict water uptake into the seed. Seed germination treatments are helpful to increase the germination rate. Therefore, batches of seeds for both plants subjected to various seed germination treatments: Physical treatments such as Nicking, Chilling, Soaking and Pre- Soaking, Moist Cloth Bag were applied and Chemical Treatments such as soaking in Acetone, Hydrogen Peroxide, Potassium nitrate with their variables in respect to control. After germination the seedling were transferred to the sapling-bags for further growth and development of the vegetative parts to observe the changes occurred due to the treatments. After the seedling growth, internal structure of stem as well as root were observed. Noticeable changes were observed in the development of vascular bundles. Treatments such as Hydrogen peroxide, Potassium nitrate, Moist cloth bag and soaking in distilled water and boiled water gives good results for higher germination rate.