Effects of Osmotic Conditioning and Humidification Applications of Pepper Seeds on Emergence Percentage and Mean Emergence Time

The aim of this study was to assess effects of osmotic conditioning and humidification of pepper (Capsicum annum) seeds on germination rate and time. Osmotic conditioning was performed with PEG-6000 and –1.0 MPa for 1, 2 and 3 days. Humidi-fication applications were carried out for 1, 2 and 3 days. After applications, germination tests were performaed in under controlled atmospere. Osmotic conditioning and humidifications increased emergence rates of Demre pepper statistically. In Kandil bell pepper cultivar, 3-days humidification application plus 1 and 3 days of osmotic conditioning increased emer-gence rate. Osmotic conditioning and humidifications reduced mean emergence time of Demre pepper statistically. In Kandil bell pepper cultivar, 3-days humidification application plus 1 and 2 days of osmotic conditioning reduced mean emergence time. This study indicated that humidification and PEG-6000 applications positively affected mean emergence time and emergence percentages in pepper seeds.