Nutripriming with zinc sulphate and borax for early growth and seedling vigour in grain cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Author(s):  
Anju B Raj ◽  
Sheeja K Raj ◽  
K. Prathapan ◽  
N.V. Radhakrishnan

The experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram with an objective to study the effect of nutripriming with ZnSO4 and borax on the early growth and seedling vigour and Zn and B content in grain cowpea. Nutripriming treatments had significant effect on germination parameters. Nutripriming with ZnSO4 either at 0.025 or 0.05 per cent recorded higher values for the germination parameters. These treatments recorded 19.68 and 18.51 per centage higher germination than control. Germination index was 1.4 times higher in seeds primed with ZnSO4 @ 0.025 and 0.05 per cent and also recorded higher values for mean daily germination and speed of germination. The highest co-efficient rate of germination and germination rate index was recorded by seed priming with ZnSO4 at 0.05 per cent and it was closely followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.025 per cent for 4 h. Nutripriming with ZnSO4 either @ 0.025 or 0.05 per cent recorded the lowest mean germination time and time to reach 50 per cent germination and also recorded higher Zn and B content. Vigour index also followed the same trend. Hence it can be concluded that nutripriming with ZnSO4 either at 0.025 or 0.05 per cent can be recommended for early seedling growth, seedling vigour and higher Zn and B content in grain cowpea.

Author(s):  
Ruqiang Tong ◽  
Xinyuan Liu ◽  
Bifan Mu ◽  
Junfeng Wang ◽  
Mengxing Liu ◽  
...  

Background: Understanding the drought tolerance of white clover seeds during germination and early seedling growth and how that is linked to seed maturation in legume species, is crucial to developing new stand establishments.Methods: An experiment was conducted in Randomized Block design in two factorial concept to explore how seed maturation and drought tolerance influence seed germination and early seedling growth using the two factors: seed coat color (yellow and brown, two levels as one factor) and drought intensity (control: 0 MPa [distilled water], mild drought: -0.2 MPa, moderate drought: -0.4 MPa and severe drought: -0.6 MPa, four levels as another factor).Result: In contrast to the yellow-coated seeds, the mean germination percentage, germination index, seedling vigour index and radicle length of the brown-coated seeds were lowered by 7.9%, 23.1%, 20.5% and 12.9%, respectively. Compared to the control, introducing drought conditions reduced the mean of germination percentage, germination index, seedling vigour index and radicle length of yellow-coated seeds by 52.4%, 64.1%, 41.9% and 23.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, drought affected brown-coated seeds more than yellow-coated seeds. The results indicating that the seed quality of white clover seed lots with yellow-colored coats higher than the seed lots with brown-coloured coats. In agronomic practice, a larger proportion of yellow-coated seeds should be harvested to improve new stands successful establishment under environment easy to dry.


Author(s):  
R. Himaja ◽  
K. Radhika ◽  
K. Bayyapu Reddy ◽  
M. Raghavendra

Background: Drought stress at germination and early growth stages hinders the seedling establishment in chickpea which ultimately affects the economic yield. Such adverse affects of drought can be mitigated by screening and identifying the tolerant genotypes of chickpea which is commonly cultivated under rain-fed conditions during post-rainy season. Methods: Effect of drought stress on germination and early seedling growth of thirty three chickpea genotypes was studied under four different concentrations of PEG 6000 (-0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa) along with control and hydration under laboratory conditions during 2018-19. Result: Significant variation was observed among the genotypes for germination, root length, shoot length and seedling vigour index under different concentrations of PEG 6000. Complete inhibition of germination was observed in most of the genotypes at -1.2 MPa. Based on the results obtained, JG 11 and NBeG 3 were considered as tolerant since they showed comparatively higher germination, root length, shoot length and seedling vigour even at -1.2 MPa, while NBeG 723 and NBeG 833 were considered as susceptible genotypes because of their poor germination and seedling growth even at lower levels of drought stress.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 707-710
Author(s):  
M. Hanumantha ◽  
Rajesh P. Gunaga ◽  
Suma S. Biradar ◽  
Roopa S. Patil ◽  
P. Shankar

Bauhinia purpurea L. is one of the important avenue tree species used in garden, road side plantations and other places. Fresh seed produce good germination upto 75 to 100 per cent. Seeds of this species stored for five months produced less germination (38.00 %) and it could be due to seed dormancy. Hence, the present study was carried out to evaluate different seed treatments to enhance seed germination in stored seeds of B. purpurea. Treatment like soaking seeds in hot water for 2 min to 5 min followed by overnight soaking in normal water resultedin highest germination of about 59.00 per cent over control (40.00%). Significant variation for germination parameters such as mean daily germination, germination rate index and germination value as well as early seedling vigour was recorded among different pre-sowing treatments in stored seeds.


Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
Cristobal Javier Solano ◽  
José A. Hernández ◽  
Juan Suardíaz ◽  
Gregorio Barba-Espín

(1) Background: In recent years, the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for plant production purposes has expanded. However, LEDs’ effect on seed germination and early seedling growth has been scarcely documented. (2) Methods: In this work, the effect of monochromatic red light (RL, 100 µmol m−2 s−1) for up to 60 min applied to seeds of pea and melon was analyzed in terms of seedling growth and antioxidant enzymes levels. An experimental LED chamber coupled to an electronic control system was developed for this purpose. (3) Results: RL did not alter the germination rate, but significantly improved the early seedling growth. Pea and melon seedlings showed the highest increase in fresh weight and length upon 15 min RL treatment of the seeds, whereas longer exposure times decreased seedling growth. Interestingly, RL favored the development of secondary roots in both species, which could favor the nutrition and water uptake by the seedling. The ability of the seedlings to respond to a hypothetical LED irradiance-induced oxidative stress was reflected differently on the antioxidant system of pea and melon. (4) Conclusions: These findings can be relevant for designing seed priming treatments to improve plant vigor, thus enhancing the productivity of important crop plants.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Javier Carrillo-Reche ◽  
Adrian C. Newton ◽  
Richard S. Quilliam

Abstract A low-cost technique named ‘on-farm’ seed priming is increasingly being recognized as an effective approach to maximize crop establishment. It consists of anaerobically soaking seeds in water before sowing resulting in rapid and uniform germination, and enhanced seedling vigour. The extent of these benefits depends on the soaking time. The current determination of optimal soaking time by germination assays and mini-plot trials is resource-intensive, as it is species/genotype-specific. This study aimed to determine the potential of the seed respiration rate (an indicator of metabolic activity) and seed morphological changes during barley priming as predictors of the priming benefits and, thus, facilitate the determination of optimal soaking times. A series of germination tests revealed that the germination rate is mostly attributable to the rapid hydration of embryo tissues, as the highest gains in the germination rate occurred before the resumption of respiration. Germination uniformity, however, was not significantly improved until seeds were primed for at least 8 h, that is, after a first respiration burst was initiated. The maximum seedling vigour was attained when the priming was stopped just before the beginning of the differentiation of embryonic axes (20 h) after which vigour began to decrease (‘over-priming’). The onset of embryonic axis elongation was preceded by a second respiration burst, which can be used as a marker for priming optimization. Thus, monitoring of seed respiration provides a rapid and inexpensive alternative to the current practice. The method could be carried out by agricultural institutions to provide recommended optimal soaking times for the common barley varieties within a specific region.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 271
Author(s):  
Muhammad Imran ◽  
Asim Mahmood ◽  
Günter Neumann ◽  
Birte Boelt

Low temperature during germination hinders germination speed and early seedling development. Zn seed priming is a useful and cost-effective tool to improve germination rate and resistance to low temperature stress during germination and early seedling development. Spinach was tested to improve germination and seedling development with Zn seed priming under low temperature stress conditions. Zn priming increased seed Zn concentration up to 48 times. The multispectral imaging technique with VideometerLab was used as a non-destructive method to differentiate unprimed, water- and Zn-primed spinach seeds successfully. Localization of Zn in the seeds was studied using the 1,5-diphenyl thiocarbazone (DTZ) dying technique. Active translocation of primed Zn in the roots of young seedlings was detected with laser confocal microscopy. Zn priming of spinach seeds at 6 mM Zn showed a significant increase in germination rate and total germination under low temperature at 8 °C.


2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeru Jain ◽  
Johannes Van Staden

AbstractThe stimulatory role of 3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one, a smoke-derived butenolide, on germination and post-germination events is well documented. Previous studies have involved germinating seeds in the continuous presence of the compound. However, commercial growers cannot exploit the potential of the butenolide for large-scale production of crops due to limited availability and environmental constraints. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of the butenolide as a priming agent of tomato (Solanum esculentum Mill.) seeds. Flow cytometry data revealed that butenolide-primed seeds had a higher percentage of nuclei at the 4C stage than water-primed seeds. Emergence of the radicle was much faster in the primed seeds. After 36 h of imbibition, a higher percentage of the butenolide-primed seeds (22%) exhibited radicle emergence compared to the water-primed seeds (12%). While butenolide-primed seeds initially germinated more rapidly than either water-primed or unprimed seeds in a 48-h period, water-imbibed seeds reached a similar germination level as the butenolide-primed seeds by 60 h of incubation. The butenolide-primed seeds produced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) more vigorous seedlings than water-primed seeds or seeds in the continuous presence of either water or butenolide. A gradual decrease in the seedling vigour index was recorded for both water and butenolide-primed seeds with increased seed storage at room temperature. Nevertheless, the vigour index was significantly greater in the butenolide-primed seeds than the water-primed seeds. Vigour indices were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher for the butenolide-primed seeds under various stress conditions (salinity, osmoticum or temperature) compared to control or water-primed seeds. Results of the present study suggest that the butenolide is a good seed-priming agent. Additionally, primed seeds retained the promotive effect for a considerable time. This was also the case for tomato seeds under various simulated field stress conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Erna Karalija ◽  
Fatima Pustahija ◽  
Adisa Parić

UDK: 582.661.51:631.53.027]:547.913 In order to investigate the effects of seed priming with silver fir and oregano essential oils on certain important seedling characteristic and seed vigour of interesting endemic and horticultural species Silene sendtneri, an experiment was conducted based on randomized completely design with three replications. Traits such as germination rate, water content, dry weight, vigour index and photosynthetic pigments were analysed. Results revealed that the seedlings obtained with priming seeds showed increased growth, water content, vigour and photosynthetic pigment contents but decreased germination rate and dry weight compared with that obtained with non-primed seeds. Analysis of seed priming effects had demonstrated even germination rate is smaller the seedling vigour is slightly higher especially with all oregano oil treatments. We suggest that oregano oil has a potential as a priming agent for improvement of seedling synchrony, although at lower rate of germination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-163
Author(s):  
Milan Jocković ◽  
Petar Čanak ◽  
Vladimir Miklič ◽  
Jelena Ovuka ◽  
Velimir Radić ◽  
...  

Summary A useful approach for improving seed germination and seedling growth is a seed priming technique. Application of the priming technique enhances water absorption, causing activation of metabolic activities in the seed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seed priming on germination parameters of safflower and to compare different priming techniques: priming by soaking and priming on filter paper. The priming treatments included hydropriming (distilled water) and osmopriming with 0.1% and 0.5% solutions of KNO3 for 8 and 16 hours. The experiment revealed significant difference between the priming treatments and the control. The highest germination (89.50%) was recorded within the priming treatments by soaking in the solution of 0.1% KNO3 and priming on filter paper moistened with 0.5% KNO3 for 8 hours. Considering germination index, mean germination time and time to 50% germination, the best results were obtained within hydropriming on filter paper for 16 hours. This study has shown that the priming techniques significantly improved germination parameters of safflower. Although priming on filter paper showed better results, the soaking technique – due to its simplicity, low cost and easiness of application – can be successfully used to improve germination parameters of safflower and increase the number of plants per unit of area and thus increase the seed yield per acreage.


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