An increase in hydropriming durations of the light density seeds resulted in an increase in the seedling emergence, energy of emergence, seedling vigour and emergence index. Hydropriming of light density seeds gave high seedling emergence in the three Capsicum species compared to hydropriming of heavy density seeds. Hydropriming for 0 to 12 h resulted in lower days to emergence. The result revealed that among the ungraded, light and heavy density seed lots, Capsicum chinense had superior seedling emergence, energy of emergence, seedling vigour index and emergence index. Seedling emergence, energy of emergence, seedling vigour index and emergence rate were evaluated in the experiments. In the first experiment, fresh ungraded seeds were subjected to different hours of hydropriming durations with second experiment light and heavy density seed lots were subjected to the same hydropriming durations. A study was initiated to determine the physiological quality of three Capsicum species ( Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens and Capsicum chinense) in relation to seed density and hydropriming treatment durations.

Seed enhancement technology like hydropriming can be done to address this gap. Seeds uniformity and seedling establishment are major problem in pepper production in developing countries and have great impact on production quality and performance. Seed Physiological Quality of Three Capsicum Species as Affected by Seed Density and Hydropriming Treatment Durations

Physiological density