ABSTRACT
The present study focused on the evaluation of priming with water and various botanical leaf extract and followed by humid invigoration as a means to improve seed germination and seedling vigour of ribbed gourd (COH 1) and bitter gourd (CO 1). The seeds of these gourds were primed with water and various leaf extracts at 2% concentration viz., Pongam (Pongamia pinnata L.), Neem (Azadira chtaindica), Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii), Notchi (Vitex negundo), Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Hena (Lawsonia inermis) and Guava (Psidium guajava). Unprimed seeds taken as a control. Hydro and leaf extract priming with humid invigoration process significantly influence the germination and seedling vigour of both crops viz., ribbed gourd (COH 1) and bitter gourd (CO 1). The study revealed that highest seed and seedling quality characters like germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling length, dry matter production, vigour index I and vigour index II were recorded in hydro primed with humid invigoration. Among the leaf extracts moringa shows better seedling growth of above parameters. Minimum value of this parameter was recorded in henna leaf extract priming with humid invigoration in both ribbed gourd (COH 1) and bitter gourd gourd (CO 1).