Morphological Characteristics and Seed Germination Improvement of Two Ecotypes of Astragalus armatus Willd. subsp. armatus in Algeria

Abstract Astragalus armatus Willd. subsp. armatus is an endemic shrub of the Northern Africa. Its cultivation and domestication are very limited because of difficulty with seed germination and establishment. In this study, we investigated some plant morphological characteristics in real time and in situ (leaves, fruit and seeds) of different ecotypes of A. armatus, collected from two sites in Algeria (Arid Steppe of Aïn Naga and Condorcet Mountain), which elevation and climate data are very different. Moreover, the role played by the seed coat in seed dormancy of these two different populations was tested by the effects of the pretreatment and its duration on the performance of seed germination, by considering the final germination percentage (FGP) and the mean germination time (MGT). These parameters are estimated for 10 days in Petri dishes and stored in darkness at (25°C). Pre-sowing treatments included immersion in concentrated sulphuric acid for 30, 60 and 90 min, and immersion in hot water (100°C) for 10 min. Statistical analysis showed that the treatment and the ecotypes effects on both FGP and MGT were highly significant (p< 0.0001). Untreated seeds of both ecotypes of A. armatus failed to germinate (except for a few of Condorcet Mountain ecotypes). For both populations, the most effective treatment was immersion in sulphuric acid for 60 min for the ecotype of Arid Steppe of Aïn Naga, and only 30 min for Condorcet Mountain. An excellent germinative strength is characterized by a higher FGP and a reduced MGT. The morphological characteristic and seed germination could be attributed to intraspecific variations resulting from the natural selection of the same species.

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Seed characteristics of Amygdalus arabica in Adıyaman region of Turkey

Dendrobiology ◽

10.12657/denbio.084.005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 84 ◽

pp. 49-57

Author(s):

Mustafa Yilmaz ◽

Mehmet Kalkan ◽

Hakan Demirbağ

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Seed Germination ◽

Seed Weight ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Natural Distribution ◽

Bitter Almond ◽

Mean Germination Time ◽

Different Populations ◽

Seed Characteristics

Mountain almond (Amygdalus arabica) is a shrub with naturally distributing in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. A. arabica also known as bitter almond and can reach up to 2.5 m. The natural distribution of mountain almond is generally in the Southeast Region of Turkey. The present study carried out to determine the morphological and physiological characteristics of the seed of mountain almond. The seeds were collected from three different populations of A. arabica in Adıyaman. For different each populations seed weight, height, width, thickness, and 1000-seed weight were measured in the laboratory. Morphological characteristics of A. arabica seeds varied according to their populations. Seed germination tests were conducted at 20 °C, after prechilling for 0, 3, 6, and 9 weeks at 4 °C. Prechilling treatments of 3 weeks were insufficient, but 6 and 9 weeks of prechilling were found to eliminate seed dormancy and led to the highest germination percentage. The average germination percentage after 0, 3, 6, and 9 weeks of prechilling were 3.1%, 49.6%, 80.4%, and 81.1%, respectively. The average mean germination time was approximately between 8 and 10 days.

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The Effects of Pre-germination Treatments on Seed Germination and Growth of Wild Guavas in the Kingdom of Eswatini, Southern Africa

Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research ◽

10.9734/ajahr/2020/v5i130041 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 28-36

Author(s):

Thulani Sikhondze ◽

Kwanele A. Nxumalo ◽

Michael T. Masarirambi ◽

Paul K. Wahome ◽

Mathole G. Zwane

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Sulphuric Acid ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Seed Priming ◽

Psidium Guajava ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Hot Water ◽

Distilled Water ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Poor Seed

Dormancy is a condition where seeds will not germinate even when the environmental conditions (water, temperature and aeration) are permissive for germination. Wild guavas (Psidium guajava L.) are very popular in all agro-ecological zones of Eswatini. Farmers have shown an interest towards guava cultivation but have to cope with the shortage of quality propagation material. The demand is not fulfilled because of unavailability of superior seedling rootstocks, which might be due to poor seed germination and seedling growth. Nevertheless, it has been reported that guava seeds exhibited seed dormancy, which affects their growth and development. The experiment was carried out to study effects of different pre-germination methods on seed germination of guava. The study was conducted at the University of Eswatini, Luyengo Campus. The objective of the study was to get maximum germination of guava seeds in as short a time as possible. Four methods were used i.e., soaking in distilled water for five days at room temperature, soaking in hot water at 80ºC for three minutes, subjecting seeds to heat at 80ºC in oven for six minutes and soaking in 20% dilute sulphuric acid for three minutes. All these treatments significantly decreased days to germination of seeds compared with the control. Among the methods, treatment of guava seeds with 20% dilute sulphuric acid for three minutes was judged best with maximum germination percentage (93.3%); lowest germination mean time was observed in seeds soaked in distilled water (31 days). Highest plant height (44 mm) and highest stem girth of (3.37 mm) were recorded from seeds soaked in sulphuric acid after 150 days of sowing. Seeds without any pre-germination treatment showed poor germination (26.7%). On the basis of the findings, it can be recommended that propagators use sulphuric acid in seed priming for higher germination, growth and development.

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Effect of seed treatments and potting medium on seed germination parameters in threatened Stereospermum suaveolens (Roxb.) DC. – A dashmool species

Environment Conservation Journal ◽

10.36953/ecj.2020.211225 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1&2) ◽

pp. 187-192

Author(s):

Hariom Saxena ◽

Naseer Mohammad ◽

Samiksha Parihar ◽

Sant Kumar

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Seed Treatment ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Hot Water ◽

Potting Medium ◽

Potting Media ◽

Mean Germination Time ◽

Coefficient Of Velocity ◽

Experimental Treatments

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different seed treatment and potting media on germination percentage and associate parameters in Stereospermum suaveolens, a threatened dashmool species during May, 2019 at Silviculture Nursery of Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh). Experimental treatments comprised of twenty treatment combinations consisting of four different seed treatment and five growth mediums. Data on daily seed germination was recorded and used for estimation of final germination percentage (FGP), mean germination time (MGT), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), germination rate index (GRI), time spread of germination (TSG), energy period (EP) and peak value of mean germination (PVMG). Critical perusal of analysis revealed that treatment combination ‘Sand + Hot Water’ was resulted in positive effect on all the characters studied and could be used for mass raising of seedlings of S. suaveolens.

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Can Bulk and Nanosized Titanium Dioxide Particles Improve Seed Germination Features of Wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum)

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb539072 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 325-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Reyhaneh AZIMI ◽

Hassan FEIZI ◽

Mohammad KHAJEH HOSSEINI

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Germination Time ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Tio2 Particles ◽

Nanosized Titanium Dioxide ◽

Mean Germination Time ◽

Germination Value ◽

Improve Seed Germination ◽

Nanosized Tio2

The goal of this study was to evaluate concentrations of nanosized TiO2 at 0, 5, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg L-1 with bulk TiO2 for possible stimulatory effects on wheatgrass seed germination and early growth stage. After 14 days of seed incubation, germination percentage improved by 9% following exposure to 5 ppm nanosized TiO2 treatment comparing to control. Similar positive effects occurred in terms of germination value and mean daily germination. Application of bulk TiO2 particles in 80 ppm concentration greatly decreased the majority of studied traits. Therefore phytotoxicity effect observed on wheatgrass seedling by application of bulk TiO2 particles in 80 ppm concentration. Exposure of wheatgrass seeds to 5 ppm nanosized TiO2 and bulk and nanosized TiO2 at 60 ppm obtained the lowest mean germination time but higher concentrations did not improve mean germination time. In general, there was a positive response by wheatgrass seed to some concentrations of nanosized TiO2. Usage of nanoparicles in order to improve germination and establishment of range plant in adverse environments similar to rangeland could be possible.

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Dispersal and germination syndromes of tree seeds in a monsoonal forest in northern India

Seed Science Research ◽

10.1079/ssr2004193 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 29-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

R.C. Thapliyal ◽

S.S. Phartyal

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Seed Storage ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Cold Season ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Northern India ◽

High Germination ◽

Monsoon Forest ◽

Mean Germination Time ◽

Pre Treatment

This paper describes the dispersal–germination characteristics of seeds of 77 native tree species in a seasonal monsoon forest in Uttaranchal state, northern India. Results indicate that 50% of the species dispersed in the hot, dry summer months, 18% during the rainy season, 23% during the cold season and the remainder in late spring. Germination tests on fresh and laboratory-stored seeds revealed a relationship between morphological features of the fruit and both germination percentage and mean germination time (MGT). Highest mean germination (50%) was for dry-dehiscent fruits with winged wind-dispersed seeds, followed by dry-dehiscent fruits with non-winged seeds (38%) and seeds of dry-indehiscent fruits (37%). Lowest germination (29%) was for seeds from fleshy or pulpy fruits. MGT followed the reverse course. Germination data for seeds stored dry in the laboratory during one seeding cycle indicated six patterns of seed germination: (1) average germination percentage of fresh seeds lower than that of stored seeds, indicating an after-ripening requirement; (2) initial high germination percentage followed by low values, indicating a steep to moderate decline in viability following harvest; (3) no germination after 1 or 2 months of seed storage, due to complete loss of viability, indicating short seed longevity; (4) fresh seed germination in some species equalled the average germination value of stored seeds, indicating constant germination for one whole seeding cycle; (5) germination of both fresh and stored seeds remained consistently low throughout the season, indicating a requirement for some kind of pre-treatment or having poor quality of seeds; (6) initial high germination followed by decline and again increase, showing a seasonal rhythm of germination.

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Morphological and germination response variability in seeds of wild yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.) accessions from northwest Spain

Botany ◽

10.1139/b2012-028 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 90 (8) ◽

pp. 731-742 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Félix Pérez-García ◽

Federico Varela ◽

M. Elena González-Benito

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Water Content ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Seed Mass ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Gentiana Lutea ◽

Moist Chilling ◽

Mean Germination Time ◽

Wild Accessions ◽

Seed Water Content

Gentiana lutea L. (yellow gentian, Gentianaceae) is an important medicinal plant under protection as endangered species in most European countries. The aim of this work was to evaluate variation in seed mass, seed water content, and seed germination among 56 wild accessions of G. lutea. The effect of gibberellic acid (GA3), putrescine, moist chilling, and level of ripeness of seeds on subsequent germination was also investigated. Seeds of G. lutea showed physiological dormancy (final germination percentages ranged from 0% to 11%, depending on the accession) and GA3 enhanced seed germination drastically in all the accessions. The highest germination (99%) of GA3-treated seeds was reached at 15 °C. Final germination percentage and germination rate (as expressed by mean germination time), as well as seed mass and seed water content, varied significantly among accessions. In general, 1 year moist chilling did not significantly enhance G. lutea seed germination. For most accessions, no significant differences were found between fully ripe seeds and less ripe seeds for seed water content, seed mass, and seed germination. Applications of GA3 were always most effective than those of putrescine for increasing seed germination.

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Germination Behavior of Rauvolfia serpentine (L.) Seeds with the use of Different Seed Treatments

Indian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.18805/ijare.a-5624 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amit Kumar Tiwari ◽

Prawal P.S. Verma ◽

Dipender Kumar ◽

Sonveer Singh ◽

Rakesh Kumar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Seed Treatment ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Hot Water ◽

Cotton Cloth ◽

Cow Dung ◽

Seed Treatments ◽

Seed Propagation

Background: Sarpagandha is an indigenous medicinal herb of Indian continent. It has many medicinal properties. Due to increasing demand of Sarpagandha, its exploitation is increasing continuously but for lack of cultivation, this plant has been listed in endangered category. Commercially, it is propagated through seeds but the main barrier of seed propagation is its irregular and low germination. Hence, the current study was undertaken to study the effect of growing media and seed treatment methods on seed germination and seedling growth of Sarpagandha to eliminate the inhibitory effect of the hard stony endocarp.Methods: Seed germination and seedling growth experiments of Sarpagandha were carried out with following different seed treatments, T1 (Control), T2 (Water soaking for 24 hours), T3 (water soaking for 48 hours), T4 (Water soaking for 24 hours + cotton cloth wrapping for 24 hours), T5 (GA3 200 ppm), T6 (FYM treatment for 24 hours), T7 (FYM treatment for 48 hours), T8 (Hot water treatment) and T9 (Cow dung treatment for 24 hours). Experiment was laid out in CRD. The data recorded on the various parameters were analyzed at 5% level of significance by using ANOVA.Result: Results indicated highest germination percentage (51), lowest mortality percent (49), minimum days for initiation of germination (23), minimum days taken for germination completion (33), highest speed of germination (3.77), maximum vigour index (1441.44), highest root (11.27 cm) and highest shoot length (17 cm) in T5 (GA3 200 ppm) followed by T3 (water soaking for 48 hours). Indicating, T5 (GA3 200 ppm) to be best seed treatment for higher germination and subsequent seedling growth of Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentine L.).

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Effects of different levels of NaCl on the seed germination of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.

Bangladesh Journal of Botany ◽

10.3329/bjb.v49i3.49995 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 625-632

Author(s):

Muhammad Akram ◽

Mehwish Zahid ◽

Abu Bakr Umer Farooq ◽

Muhammad Nafees ◽

Atta Rasool

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Seed Vigor ◽

Stress Index ◽

Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba ◽

Vigor Index ◽

Seedling Length ◽

Salinity Levels ◽

Mean Germination Time ◽

Different Levels

Effects of four different levels of NaCl (05, 10, 15, 20 dS/m) on the seed germination of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) cultivars were investigated. Only distilled water was used in the control. The experiment was conducted in the Petri dishes under laboratory condition and laid out in CRD comprising five replicates. The results indicated that the germination index (GI), seed vigor index (SVI), germination stress index and seedling length (radicle and plumule) decreased with increase of salinity levels and germination percentage (GP) was reduced significantly at the highest level of salinity (200 mM). However, mean germination time (MGT) and time taken for 50% germination (T50) increased by increasing salinity levels. Correlation coefficient between all possible combinations was estimated and the results indicated that GP, GI, MGT, T50, and SVI had significant positive or negative correlation with each other.

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SEED GERMINATION OF GUNDELIA TOURNEFORTII L. UNDER DIFFERENT DORMANCY BREAKING TREATMENTS

PLANT ARCHIVES ◽

10.51470/plantarchives.2021.v21.no1.141 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (No 1) ◽

Author(s):

Vian Dler Ali ◽

Farhad Hassan Aziz

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Tap Water ◽

Petri Dish ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Dormancy Breaking ◽

Mean Germination Time ◽

Breaking Seed Dormancy ◽

Germination Value ◽

Peak Value

Gundelia tournefortii L. is adapted to mountains area climate, and the germination of this plant is not easily. This research conducted to study the effect of different seed treatments in various treatment durations in two experiments in petri dish in the laboratory and in seedling tray in the lath house to breaking seed dormancy and germination stimulus. Results indicated that there is significant enhancement of germination by all treatments and the maximum germination percentage was obtained by seed freezing 99.17% in the laboratory and 93.33% in the lath house for all treatment durations 12, 14, 48 and 72 hours. The other parameters of seed germination like germination speed, peak value, mean daily germination, mean germination time, germination value, radicle length, radicle elongation velocity, plumule length, plumule elongation velocity, seedling fresh and dry weight escalated by seed freezing and seed soaking in tap water at all soaking durations 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Gundelia tournefortii L. germinated seed was an anatomically examined by paraffin method and calculated diploid number of chromosomes 2n=2x=18 by aceto-carmine squash methods

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Nutritional Characteristics and Seed Germination Improvement of the Forage Shrub Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss

Contemporary Agriculture ◽

10.2478/contagri-2020-0008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 69 (3-4) ◽

pp. 53-60

Author(s):

Abdenour Kheloufi ◽

Lahouaria Mounia Mansouri ◽

Mohamed Djelilate ◽

Mourad Touka ◽

Abdallah Chater ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Sulphuric Acid ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Principal Component ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Retama Sphaerocarpa ◽

Seedling Length ◽

Germination Ability

SummaryRetama sphaerocarpa shrubs form populations that can be an important forage resource during the dry season when pasture shortages are common in certain arid and semi-arid Mediterranean basin regions. The leaves of R. sphaerocarpa were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents. Leaves were also analyzed for the concentration of macro- (P, K, Ca and Mg) and microelements (Mn, Zn, Fe, and Na). According to the contents of CP, NDF, ADF and ADL in the leaves examined, this species could strike an appropriate balance between available feed ingredients for daily nutritional needs of animals. The contents of Ca, K, Na, P, Fe, Mg, and Zn in Retama sphaerocarpa shrubs were found to be high, compared to a number of other forage shrub species. Conversely, the rate of natural regeneration of this shrub in situ was estimated at 2-5%. R. sphaerocarpa seeds are affected by seed coat dormancy that prevents seed germination under natural conditions. The seed germination was assessed at a laboratory after the chemical scarification of seeds by concentrated sulphuric acid in the duration range of 0 min and 240 min. The principal component analysis of data related to the germination ability and seedling emergence showed that the best pretreatment was 120 min immersion in sulphuric acid at 25°C (± 2°C), resulting in 86% of the final germination percentage (FGP) and 14.6 cm of the seedling length (SL). According to the results obtained, this species could be considered a ruminant feed of great nutritive value when drought decreases grazing herbaceous biomass yields. These results should encourage farmers and foresters to integrate R. sphaerocarpa into their planting programs.

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