Aerated hydration treatment for improved germination and seedling growth in aubergine (Solanum melongena) and pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Aerated hydration treatment of aubergine and pepper seeds at 25degreesC (42 h for aubergine, 48 h for pepper) followed by drying increased percent germination across a range of test temperatures (18degreesC, 25degreesC and 35degreesC). The increase in germination obtained by the treatment was retained in storage for up to 4 months. In a glasshouse experiment, aerated hydration decreased mean emergence time but increased seedling dry weight in both species and decreased the proportion of abnormal seedlings in pepper. This work suggests that aerated hydration treatment can improve establishment of these crops in a range of planting temperatures.