An experiment was conducted to study the effect of seed invigoration with inorganic nanoparticles on plant growth and seed yield of chilli. Seed invigoration with nano particles of ZnO and TiO2 was found to be beneficial in improving yield and yield attributes. Seed treatment with nano ZnO @ 1300 mg kg-1 of seed and nano TiO2 @ 900 mg kg-1 exhibited increased plant height, fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit yield, number of seeds per fruit and seed yield.

Freshly harvested seeds of chilli variety Anugraha were treated with halogens namely Calcium oxy chloride (CaOCl2) and Iodine crystal (I2) indirectly through a carrier Calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The treatments included Control (Untreated), CaOCl2 + CaCO3 (2g each/kg seed), CaOCl2 + CaCO3 (4g each/kg seed), Iodine crystal + CaCO3 (50mg each/kg seed) and Iodine crystal + CaCO3 (100mg each/kg seed). Seed treatment with CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @2g each/kg seed registered significantly higher values for fruits per plant, fruit weight, seed yield per plant and hundred seed weight followed by CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @4g each/kg seed. The treatments, CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @2 g each/kg seed and Iodine crystal + CaCO3 @100mg each/kg seed performed superior in seed quality with higher seedling vigour and lower electrical conductivity of seed leachates over other treatments, while untreated control recorded least seedling vigour indices and highest electrical conductivity.

Ash gourd is widely cultivated as a vegetable crop in Kerala. In the state, prolonging seed longevity is a major concern as the prevailing hot humid conditions accelerates deterioration of seeds leading to rapid loss of viability during storage. Seed deterioration due toageing is indeed inevitable and irreversible phenomenon, the best that can be done is to lower its rate (Coolbear 1995). It is reported that seed priming technology helps in rapid and uniform germination and emergence of seeds and impart a great tolerance to adverse environmental conditions (Heydecker et al. 1973).

Introduction, characterization and evaluation of exotic Musa germplasm has been undertaken at the Banana Research Station (BRS), Kannara, Kerala since 1994, under the aegis of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Tropical Fruits, with the view to widen genetic base of this important crop. An exotic cultivar ‘Popoulu’ belonging to the Maia Maoli/Popoulu group of the AAB genomic group was characterized and evaluated under Kerala growing conditions. Results revealed that ‘Popoulu’ is a potential dessert and cooking exotic banana cultivar, highly suited for preparation of chips with a recovery of 33%, similar to ‘Nendran’. The higher bunch weight of ‘Popoulu’ contributes to higher yield of chips. ‘Popoulu’ has great potential for popularization amongst farmers of Kerela, as a profitable cultivar to complement ‘Nendran’ ecotypes.