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The identification and discrimination of crop varieties is very crucial for their breeding, variety registration, seed production and certification. Oligogenic morphological characters of seeds are distinct as well as stable and hence can be used for identification of varieties. Digital image analysis is an alternative to the manual classification of biological seed by integrating an image acquisition device and a computer. Data collected on sesame seed characters using grain scanner has significant differences for every observation. The sesame variety, SVPR 1 recorded the highest seed surface area (3.92mm2), perimeter (7.88mm) and length (3.32mm) when compared to all other varieties. Cluster analysis revealed that the varieties could be grouped into two major clusters in which CO 1, TMV 3, TMV 4, TMV 5, TMV 7 formed one cluster whereas the other varieties were grouped under another cluster, which showed that the genotypes in one cluster had similarity in most of the parameters and also its parentage. Thus, image analysis helps in discriminating the morphological variation in seeds related to genotype and its evolution.

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of different priming methods on improvement of seedling growth. Pre-sowing seed priming helps to improve germination and stand establishment. Seeds of barnyard millet were primed with different priming methods viz., hydro priming(H2O), hormo priming(GA3 10ppm), organic priming(vermiwash 10%), botanical priming (Calotropis leaf extract 15%), halo priming (KH2PO41%) and chemo priming (succinic acid 100ppm). Barnyard millet seeds were soaked in double the volume of priming media for 12hours and evaluated the seed quality parameters. Among these methods, hormo priming (GA310ppm) recorded higher values in germination (100%), shoot length (10.85 cm) and vigour index (2353) compared to other priming treatment methods. The percentage increase over control was by 5, 12.22, 16.87, 50 and 18.66 for germination percentage, root length, shoot length, dry matter production and vigour index I, respectively.

Background: Seed maturation is genetically controlled process involves a series of morphological and physiological changes extending from fertilization to independence from the mother plant. Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum Lam.) is an under exploited legume and it is an inexpensive source of protein, rich in minerals and vitamins. However, information on harvesting time of horse gram seeds are still limited. Therefore, this study was carried out in horse gram to determine the physiological maturity in obtaining good quality of seeds for better planting value.Methods: The laboratory experiment was carried out at Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, India to determine the appropriate time of harvesting horse gram var. Paiyur 2 seeds. The crop was raised as bulk in the field during rabi season of 2019 and the pods were harvested in interval of seven days from 7 days after anthesis (DAA) to 56 DAA and subjected for determinations of pod and seed characteristics.Result: The result revealed that, pod length and pod fresh weight of seeds showed a steady increase upto 35 DAA showed maximum pod length (4.76 cm) and fresh weight of pods (6.903 g/10 pods). The seeds attained maximum germination (94%), dry weight (0.859 g/25 seeds) and vigour parameters viz., root length (17.7 cm), shoot length (8.8 cm), dry matter production (0.161 g/10 seedlings), vigour index I (2491) and vigour index II (15) on 49 DAA.