scholarly journals Editorial: Seed Science and Technology. Volume 49 Issue 3 (2021)

Author(s):  
Riad Baalbaki

This issue of Seed Science and Technology is a good reflection of the wide scope of the field of study. Species of interest include major cultivated crops as well as wild and native species. Likewise, research topics span a wide array of subjects relevant to those interested in basic seed biology, production, testing, ecology, conservation and biodiversity. Understanding basic mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination remains a major topic of interest. Seed quality and its attributes are also of particular interest, as evidenced by research articles on seed vigour, health, genetic purity and physical characterisation.

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-451
Author(s):  
Julio Marcos-Filho

The quality of a seed lot results from the interaction of attributes that determine its overall value for a specific purpose. Seed Science and Technology is a widely recognised journal first published in 1973 as a continuation of the Proceedings of the International Seed Testing Association (1921 to 1972). The Journal publishes original papers and articles comprising different aspects of seed production, processing, storage, testing, genetic conservation, habitat regeneration and reforestation programs, with both basic and applied topics on seed science. Seed quality represents a permanent focus of Seed Science and Technology and the articles published in this issue, with a predominant approach on physiological potential, genetic purity and seed enhancement, confirm this strong commitment The species covered by the articles in this issue represent important worldwide grain, forage and ornamental crops, but there are also species with local value, for environmental restoration and medicinal application.


1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (spe) ◽  
pp. 79-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.T. Della Vecchia ◽  
C.A.R. da Silva ◽  
P. Terenciano-Sobrinho

Seed market is becoming global and globalization is growing very fast. To compete favourably in this new global seed world, quality and cost are and will be certanly the key issues. High seed quality can only be obtained by a thorough control of the entire seed production process, step by step from planning to final delivery. That requires science, technology, expertise, experience, good management and certanly, the most important, an absolute and unconditional commitment with quality. Seed testing for quality assurance is one important step in the process of production of high quality seed. In the late years a considerable amount of research has been published, particularly on the use of some Polymerase Chain Reaction DNA based new technologies (RAPD, microsatelites, AFLP) for genetic purity determinations in seed testing. As far as we know, no Brazilian seed company is using, on regular basis, RAPD or other molecular marker techniques in the determination of genetic purity in seed testing. Most of these are using morphological or physiological traits expressed by seed, seedling or mature plant and/or electrophoresis of seed or seedling proteins/isoenzymes for that purpose. Main reasons for that are: DNA molecular marker techniques are relatively new; lack of specialized personnel to run DNA molecular marker assays on routine basis; higher cost/sample when compared to proteins/isoenzymes electrophoresis.


Author(s):  
M Hasan ◽  
M Robbani ◽  
R Parvin ◽  
MNH Mehedi ◽  
I Hossain

An experiment was carried out at Germplasm Centre and Plant Biotechnology Lab, Department of Horticulture, PSTU to evaluate the growth, seed yield and quality of hybrid F1 chilli (cv. Sonic) crossing male line (LTSL-004-M) and female line (LTSL-004-F) along the viability of productive seeds influenced by NPK fertilizers during the period from November 2015 to October 2016. Ten different treatments of NPK fertilizers were used. Result showed that all the characteristics except primary branches and1000 seed weight were influenced significantly due to the application of NPK fertilizers. The tallest plant (69.88 cm), more leaves plant–1 (2491.33), highest number of secondary branches plant-1, tertiary branches plant-1 (5.00 and 88.00, respectively), number of flowers and hybrid fruits plant–1 (1533.00 and 12.33, respectively) and weight of seeds (4.03 g plant–1) along with required more time (54.67 days) for flowering were obtained from the application of 145 kg N ha–1, 175 kg P ha–1 and 96 kg K ha–1 (T4) which produced the highest final seed yield of chilli (4.03 kg ha–1). Application of T5 and T9 showed the highest number of primary branches (2.33). In seed viability characteristics T9 treated seeds showed the highest germination (100, 97.33 and 94.97%) at 1st, (1 MAH - Month After Harvest), 2nd (2 MAH) and 3rd (4 MAH) observations, respectively. The T3 treated seeds performed well in respect of Seed Vigour Index (SVI) at 1st and 2nd observations (8.00 and 7.48, respectively) but T9 treated seeds showed the highest SVI (6.32) at 3rd observation. Above indicating all characteristics were lowest under only recommended doses of NPK T1 as control treatment except days to first flowering. The observations suggested that production of hybrid chilli seeds could be enhanced by applying T4. While seeds of chilli treated by T9 in field level showed long time viable. Application of 145 kg N ha–1, 175 kg P ha–1 and 96 kg K ha–1 may be suggested for seed production of chilli and 110 kg N ha–1, + 175 kg P ha–1 + 115 kg K ha–1 for keeping the long time seed viability. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 9 (1): 35-41, June, 2019


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-58
Author(s):  
Phil Hilliard ◽  
Frank J. Stech ◽  
Kristin E. Heckman ◽  
Janice Redington Ballo

A scientometrics analysis was conducted of the People's Republic of China (PRC) science and technology literature, with a focus on cyber-denial and deception (cyber-D&D). The objectives of this study were to identify leading Chinese cyber-D&D researchers and research institutions; cyber-D&D research topics, keywords, and terminology; and networks among researchers, institutions, and topics. The scientometrics analysis revealed that Chinese researchers have published papers on the following cyber-D&D topics: computer crime, spam, honeypots, phishing, and spoofing. A number of universities are conducting cyber-D&D research. Tsinghua University and National University of Defense Technology were identified as producing the greatest number of articles related to cyber-D&D. Two of the most prolific cyber-D&D authors, J Bi and Jinbo Wu, are affiliated with Tsinghua University.


2006 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Z. ALAM ◽  
T. STUCHBURY ◽  
ROBERT E. L. NAYLOR

The response of germination and early seedling growth to levels of salinity (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mM NaCl) were examined in single seed lots of ten modern rice genotypes. Unaged and deteriorated rice seeds were germinated in rolled paper towels and in Petri dishes. Initial seed quality, final germination, germination rate and early seedling growth were assessed. The samples of the rice genotypes differed in their initial seed quality (measured in terms of Ki). The effect of deterioration varied depending upon the initial seed quality and the severity of the treatment imposed. Ageing (using the technique of controlled deterioration, CD) for up to 24 h had no effect on final germination levels. Although CD for 30 h only reduced final germination slightly, ageing for 36 or 48 h reduced it greatly. Controlled deterioration for 36 h or longer reduced the final length and the rate of extension of both the plumule and radicle. Combining information about germination in salt solution with that about seed quality enabled a distinction to be made between varieties which performed poorly because they were genetically salt-susceptible from those which germinated poorly due to poor seed quality. It is argued that the seed vigour of seed lots used in genotype evaluation should be assessed in order to avoid discarding potentially useful genotypes because of poor physiological seed quality.


2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 463-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. V. Gusta ◽  
E. N. Johnson ◽  
N. T. Nesbitt ◽  
K. J. Kirkland

Seedling vigour is a key critical component to produce well-established canola (Brassica napus) seedlings under less than ideal conditions in western Canada. Our objective was to determine if seed lots from late October (fall) or early spring (April) seeding dates improve seed vigour relative to mid-May (May) seeding dates. We compared seed size, seed maturity, germination percentage, and seedling emergence under controlled-environment conditions from six seed lots obtained from fall-sown (1997, 1998), April-sown (1998, 1999) and May-sown canola (1998, 1999) cv. Quest. On average, 80% of fall-derived seed for both years was larger than 1.7 mm compared to only 32% for May-derived canola seed. April-derived seed was intermediate. Fall and April derived seed were considered 40% mature compared to 16% for May-derived seed. In germination tests at 8°C, May derived seed germinated and emerged slower with a lower total germination percentage compared to falland April-derived seed lots. Priming reduced differences in emergence between the seed lots. Field studies at Scott, SK, sown in the fall of 1999 and 2000, and in early May of 2000 demonstrated that seed derived from fall- and April-sown canola produced higher plant densities, higher biomass at bolting, and higher seed yield than seed derived from May-sown canola. Yield was 10 to 45% less from seed derived from May-sown canola than seed derived from fall- and April-sown canola. This study established the impact of seeding date on seed quality and vigour, which in turn affected emergence, seedling vigour and yield. Also, seed vigour slowly declined within 1 yr, primarily with seed derived from the May-sown canola. Key words: Canola, Brassica napus, vigour (seed), seeding (fall), emergence, yield (quality)


Author(s):  
Ovais Hamid Peerzada ◽  
V. S. Mor ◽  
O. S. Dahiya

The experiment was conducted at Department of Seed Science and Technology CCS, Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar, Haryana from 2013-15 and comprised of seventeen treatment combinations of manures (viz., FYM and Vermicompost), bio-fertilizers (viz., Rhizobium and PSB) and fertilizers. The freshly harvested fenugreek seeds of all the seventeen treatment plot combinations were stored in plastic containers under ambient conditions up to a period of eighteen months. Seed quality was assessed at a regular interval of six months. A significant decline in seed quality was observed in all the nutrient combinations as the period of ageing increased. It was observed that the treatment combination of Rhizobium and PSB along with 75% Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN) recorded significantly higher germination % (87.33%), seedling length (24.77 cm), dry weight (7.5 mg), vigour index-I (2163) and vigour index-II (657) followed by PSB with 100% RDN and Rhizobium with 100% RDN after eighteen months of ambient storage as compared to control. The electrical conductivity (333 µS cm-1g-1) was also recorded minimum in the treatment Rhizobium and PSB along with 75% RDN followed by PSB with 100% RDN and Rhizobium with 100% RDN after the period of ambient storage while the maximum was recorded in control. The study highlighted that the slightly reduced dose of inorganic nitrogen was best when applied in combination with bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium+PSB) for maximizing the storage potential of fenugreek seed as compared to the rest of treatments.


Author(s):  
P . Kuchlan ◽  
M. K. Kuchlan ◽  
S. M. Husain

Loss of seed quality in soybean is a serious problem in tropical and subtropical region. Foliar application of salicylic acid (SA), GA3 and acetyl salicylic acid (50 ppm) at seedling and pod filling stage, K2HPO4 (2%), a-tocopherol (100 ppm) at flowering and pod filling stage was done on soybean varieties – NRC 7 and JS 335. Foliar application of SA showed positive effect on seed yield, seed health, germination and seed vigour during storage. Plant height was significantly improved by the GA3 spray in both the varieties. Significantly higher seed yield was obtained with foliar spray of a-tocopherol. Application of SA was found effective to protect plants from various diseases to get quality seed. a-Tocopherol and K2HPO4 treatment significantly reduced MDA production in seeds. a-Tocopherol application increased super oxide dismutase activity as a result the lipid peroxidation of seed during storage was significantly reduced. Application of a-tocopherol, K2HPO4 and salicylic acid improved the storage or keeping quality of soybean seed.


2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunching Siriwitayawan ◽  
Robert L. Geneve ◽  
A. Bruce Downie

The involvement of ethylene in determining the time to radicle protrusion was investigated in ethylene-insensitive gain-of-function (GOF) receptor mutants in tomato and Arabidopsis, as well as in single and double loss-of-function (LOF) receptor mutants in Arabidopsis. Because ethylene evolution from seeds is coincident with radicle protrusion, and the ability to convert 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to ethylene is diagnostic for seed vigour, it was hypothesized that ethylene-insensitive mutants would require more time to complete germination compared to wild-type seeds. Mutant Never Ripe (Nr) tomato seeds from two genetic backgrounds refuted this hypothesis, while experiments with wild-type seeds, treated with the ethylene action inhibitors, 2,5-norbornadiene or silver thiosulphate, supported it. However, reciprocal crosses between wild-type and Nr demonstrated that ethylene insensitivity during seed development determined subsequent time to complete germination, rather than the ability of the embryo/endosperm to perceive ethylene in the mature seed during germination. Additionally, seed quality, determined by standard vigour tests, was reduced in Nr compared to wild-type seeds, establishing a disconnection between rapid completion of germination and seed vigour. In Arabidopsis, all ethylene-insensitive GOF, and five of six single LOF mutants, required more time to complete 50% radicle protrusion, while double LOF mutants required the same, or less, time to complete germination compared to wild-type seeds. These findings support a role for ethylene perception in determining the length of time Arabidopsis seeds remain in the lag phase prior to radicle protrusion.


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