EFFECT OF PAPAIN ON GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF ROOT AND SHOOT SYSTEM IN BENGAL GRAM (CICER ARIETINUM)

The Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum) seeds were treated with six different doses of papain for one week and its effect on germination and the growth of root/shoot system was studied. Papain was dissolved in ordinary tap water and 0.005, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 percent solutions were prepared. In 0.005, 0.01 and 0.025 papain solutions the germination was found to be normal like in control set. But in the other doses like 0.1 and 0.2% solutions, the seeds germinated only on the third day. In 0.005, 0.01 and 0.025% solutions the root and shoot length were found to be grater than control.