Abstract

The objective of this study was to study the effect of pelleting technology on seed quality and lifetime of Celosia cristata. This study utilized cockscomb ‘Century’ as the experimental material and established three treatments: naked seeds, seeds treated with a basic pellet formulation, and seeds treated with a basic pellet formulation supplemented with biochar. Pelleting treatments significantly enhanced seed germination and seedling development. Specifically, the basic pellet formulation resulted in earlier seedling emergence in tray-sown cockscomb seeds. Additionally, it contributed to increased shoot length, as well as improved seedling length and dry weight. Seeds pelleted with biochar formulation resulted in shortened Mean Emergence Time (MET) and increased shoot length, crown diameter, main stem diameter and Soil-Plant Analyses Development (SPAD) index (chlorophyll measurement). This study provides technical support for the application of seed pelleting in the tray seeding production and direct field sowing of cockscomb.

Keywords:Celosia cristata; Seed pelleting; Biochar; Seed quality inspection; Growth index