EFFECT OF BORON ON GERMINATION PERFORMANCE IN DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SWEET SORGHUM

The sweet Sorghum c. v. Madhura, SSV-84and RSSV-9 were selected for the present investigation. The sterilized seeds of these varieties were germinated in laboratory in different concentrations of boron i.e. 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 200 ppm up to 120 hrs. The parameters like germination percentage root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight were analyzed. Germination percentage in all varieties is reduced in the initial stages but recovered in later stage of germination except in 200 ppm boron concentration treatment. The variety SSV-84 shows inconsistency in germination pattern as compare to Madhura and RSSV -9 varieties. The root length increased in Madhura and RSSV-9 at low boron concentrations i. e. at 5 ppm and 10 ppm as compare to higher concentrations of boron. Similar response was also noticed to shoot length in all varieties under the investigation. A noticeable increase in fresh weight with lower concentration of boron in all varieties was observed. However no change in dry weight except variety SSV-84 at 120 hrs. was recorded under boron treatment.