Abstract
Germination requirements were studied on the Bolivian pepper, ‘No. 3341’ (Capsicum chinense) seeds.
The soaked seeds did not germinate, when they were held at the constant temperature of 30°C. Inserting the temperature treatment of 15°C for 24 hr 7 days after the start of soaking the seeds, resulted in quick and high rate of germination. Temperature treatments of 25°C for 8 hr 7 days after, or of 15°C for 24 hr 1 day after the start of soaking the seeds, were also effective to some extent.
Illuminating the soaked seeds held at the constant temperature of 30°C, resulted in germination of nearly half the seeds. The ‘No. 3341’ seeds were thus recognized to be light germinators. Repeated alternations of temperature effected the seed germination in the dark.
GA3 (gibberellic acid) treatment at 50 ppm was effective to promote the seed germination irrespective of illumination. GA3treatments at concentrations other than 50 ppm, however, effected the seed germination only when accompanied by illumination. GA3treatment at 100 or 250 ppm in the dark resulted in inhibition of the seed germination.
