Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2013–14 at Vegetable Research Farm and laboratories of Department of Seed Science & Technology, CCSHAU, Hisar. The factorial experiment laid out in randomized block design (RBD) as well as in completely randomized design (CRD) was conducted for field and laboratory parameters, respectively. The fenugreek genotypes (HM-257, HM-273, HM-291, HM-293, HM-346, HM-348, HM-355, HM-444, Hisar Suvarana and Hisar Sonali) were sown with two sets of treatments (Rhizobium inoculation and without Rhizobium) and three levels of leaf cuttings (no cutting, one cutting at 30 days, two cuttings at 30 and 40 days after sowing). Test weight appeared slightly better in no cutting than one and two cuttings in both the treatments irrespective of the genotypes. Seed inoculation with Rhizobium culture influenced the seed test weight and the maximum test weight was observed with genotype HM-348 (13.83 g) with Rhizobium treatment. The maximum standard germination observed at HM-355 (97.99%) with Rhizobium treatment at no cutting and without Rhizobium treatment maximum standard germination was recorded by genotype HM-355 (96.90%) with no cutting. The maximum seedling vigour was observed for genotype HM-291 (2524.47) with Rhizobium treatment in no cutting and without Rhizobium treatment maximum seedling vigour was recorded by genotype HM-348 (2314.07) no cutting. The genotypes HM-348, HM-291 and HM-355 were observed superior for the seed quality parameters. Seed inoculation with Rhizobium culture influenced the test weight and germination percentage. In successive leaf cutting treatments irrespective of genotypes, there was decrease in seed quality parameters. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for almost all seed quality parameters.