Enhancing Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Groundnut through Chemical, Growth Regulator and Hydrothermal Pod Treatments

Manuscript ID: IJECOL-26-0150

Section: Online First

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55362/IJECOL/2026/0150

Citations:

Authors & Affiliations

ANBARASU MARIYAPPILLAI Corresponding Author

Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS)

ORCID: 0000-0001-7970-4454

Email: manbarasu102@gmail.com

Aaron Aarputharaj Arputham

Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS)

Deepa Raju

Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS)

Mageshwarman Keerthi

Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS)

Srikanth Jayapal

Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS)

Sriram Padmanaban

Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS)

Yamini Priya Boobalan

Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS)

Article Dates

RECEIVED May 06, 2026

REVISED July 14, 2026

ACCEPTED July 14, 2026

AVAILABLE ONLINE July 20, 2026

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed and food legume crop widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions, where rapid and uniform crop establishment is essential for maximizing productivity under rainfed conditions. However, direct pod sowing often results in delayed germination and poor seedling establishment due to pod shell barriers and uneven water imbibition. This study evaluated the effects of chemical, hormonal and hydrothermal pre-sowing treatments on germination, seedling growth and vigour of groundnut under direct pod sowing conditions. The experiment was conducted in grow bags at the School of Agriculture, VISTAS, Pallavaram, Chennai, India, using a completely randomized design with eight treatments and three replications. The growing medium consisted of red loamy soil, river sand and well-decomposed farmyard manure (2:1:1 v/v/v). Treatments included sulphuric acid (10%), nitric acid (10%), potassium nitrate (1%), gibberellic acid (1%), hydrogen peroxide (1%), hot water (60°C), cold-water soaking and an untreated control. Although all treatments achieved 100% germination, significant differences were observed in germination time, seedling growth, biomass and vigour indices. Hydrogen peroxide (1%) soaking for 12 hours was the most effective treatment, reducing germination time and significantly improving seedling growth, biomass accumulation and seedling vigour. Hot- and cold-water soaking also enhanced early growth compared with the control, whereas acid treatments showed moderate effects and sulphuric acid was the least effective. The findings indicate that hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species signaling promotes rapid germination and vigorous seedling establishment, making it a simple and effective pre-sowing treatment for improving direct pod sowing of groundnut under semi-arid conditions.

Keywords

Groundnut Pod-sowing treatment Hydrogen peroxide Hydrothermal treatment Germination Seedling vigour

Classifications

Sustainable development Rural development

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Cite As

Mariyappillai, A., Arputham, A., Raju, D., Keerthi, M., Jayapal, S., Padmanaban, S., & Boobalan, Y. (2026). Enhancing germination and early seedling growth of groundnut through chemical, growth regulator and hydrothermal pod treatments. Indian Journal of Ecology, Online first publication. https://doi.org/10.55362/IJECOL/2026/0150

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