An effect of fat emulsions of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae on the germination capacity and energy of sprouting of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds

Various oils, fats and emulsifiers in the composition of preparations for soil enrichment or plant protection can have a significant effect on the germination capacity and energy of sprouting of pea seeds. Fat of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae can be used as a pesticide carrier as well as for increasing seed resistance to contamination with fungi and insects during storage and sprouting. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine an effect of insect fat in a form of an emulsion on sprouting of pea seeds of the variety “Rodnik” depending on a type of an emulsifier or stabilizer. It was found that the use of 0.3 weight% of xanthan gum as a stabilizer for fat emulsion of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae significantly increased the number of germinated seeds and the energy of seed sprouting. The use of 1–5 weight% of Tween 20 as an emulsifier for fat of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae led to inhibition of seed growth. Lecithin, sodium caseinate and microcellulose with addition of fat of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae also decreased the germination capacity and sprouting of pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.).

The Effect of Invigoration Using Polyethylene Glycol And Ultra Fine Bubble on Improving of Sengon Seeds (Falcataria Moluccana Miq.) Quality After Two Years Storage

Utilization of seeds storage results in decreased plant productivity. The increase can be used by treating seeds before planting through the technique of invigoration. This purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness of invigoration methods using polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) and ultrafine bubbles (UFB) to improve viability and vigor of sengon seeds (Falcataria moluccana). Seed agieng using 96 % ethanol was carried out to obtain the diversity of seedlot viability as the materials for testing the effectiveness of invigoration treatments. A complete random design was used to test the effectiveness of 5 invigoration treatments, i.e., seed without invigoration treatment, soaking in PEG 6000 -0.8 Mpa, soaking in PEG 6000 -1.2 Mpa, soaking in UFB water injected by environmental air, and soaking in UFB water injected by oxygen 99 %, with soaking time is 24 hours for each treatment. Seed agieng resulted three classes of seed viability, i.e. 62 % (initial seed), 83 % (seed agieng for 30 minutes) and 57 % (seed agieng for 60 minutes). In the condition of seed germination before treatment (DBA) 57 % and DBA 62%, invigoration treatments were significantly affected on seed germination capacity, but not significantly different in DBA 83 %. The soaking treatment of UFB injected by oxigen 99 % was able to improve the germination parameters (germination capacity, germination rate, and vigor index) on the sengon seeds with DBA 57 %. For seeds with DBA 62 %, the soaking treatment in UFB injected by environmental air was provided the best germination capacity, T50, and vigor index. The treatment of UFB injected by oxygen 99 % was more effective to improve the seed with very low viability and vigor (DBA 57 %). In general, improving of seed viability and vigor is more effective by using UFB than PEG 6000.

Diversity of the Seed Material of Selected Plant Species of Naturally Valuable Grassland Habitats in Terms of the Prognosis of Introduction Success

The current conservation status of semi-natural grassland habitats in Poland indicates that actions for their restoration are necessary. Many of the degraded sites require the introduction of diaspores of representative species because other methods of improving their condition are not sufficiently effective. Meanwhile, little is known about the diaspores of native wild-flower species and the biology of their seeds. The aim of the present study was to find an answer to the question of which features of the seed material can guarantee the success of the introduction. The study covered 28 plant species of 4 non-forest natural habitats (codes: 6440, 6410, 6510, 6210) occurring in river valleys. Diaspores were collected in 2015–2017. Morphometric measurements of diaspores were performed, the weight of 1000 diaspores was determined and the germination capacity analysis was carried out in accordance with ISTA Rules. The analysis was made with the division into normal seedlings, abnormal seedlings, dead seeds and fresh ungerminated seeds. Species with similar parameters of seed material were selected using the method of hierarchical clustering and PCA analysis. Three groups of species were distinguished: (1) with good seed germination capacity (above 65%), which, regardless of weather conditions during the generative development, and despite the small size of diaspores, can guarantee successful introductions (Verbascum thapsus, Veronica longifolia, Daucus carota, Plantago lanceolata); (2) species of little suitability for introduction, due to the large proportion (over 50%) of dead seeds (Armeria maritima, Linaria vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Centaurea stoebe, Sanguisorba officinalis, Cnidium dubium); (3) species with relatively large size of diaspores and low seed germination capacity, due to the high proportion of fresh ungerminated seeds which means dormant seeds (Lathyrus pratensis, Geranium pratense).

The effect of pre-sowing lupin-oat mixture treatment with ozone and a biological product on the productivity formation and product quality

There have been presented the study results on the effect of pre-sowing seed ozonation of narrowleaf lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) and common oat on their germination energy, germination capacity, productivity and product quality. The study was carried out in the period from 2018 to 2020 in laboratory and field conditions of the Kostroma RIA, the branch of the FSBSI “Russian Potato Research Center named after A.G. Lorkh”. The purpose of the current study was to find out the efficiency of pre-sowing seed treatment with an ozone-air flow and treatment with a biological product for their germination energy, germination capacity, productivity and product quality. The objects of the study were the common oats variety ‘Yakov’ and the narrowleaf lupin variety ‘Belozerny 110’. The seeds of the lupin-oat mixture were ozonized at a dose of 5.0 mg/m3 for 15 minutes and 30 minutes using an RIOS-10(20)-0.5 ozonizer. For comparison, the seeds were treated with the biological product ‘Fitosporin-M’. Ultimately, there were identified the best parameters of the pre-sowing seed treatment of the lupin-oat mixture. On average, over the years of study, pre-sowing seed ozonation greatly improves the germination energy of agricultural crops on 4.8–8.3%, laboratory germination was improved on 3.0–5.0%. The largest green mass productivity of lupin-oat mixture during pre-sowing seed treatment for three years was 26.1 t/ha in the variant with an ozone dose of 5.0 mg/m3 for 15 minutes, which was more than control on 29.2%. In the variant with ozonation time increase to 30 minutes, the average productivity was 23.2 t/ha, which was 14.8% more than in the control. Pre-sowing seed ozonation contributed to dry matter increase on 14.2–19.0%; crude protein yield increased on 32.8–53.2%; crude protein percentage in grain increased on 14.1–16.8%; metabolizable energy increased on 3.7–5,1%; fodder units increased on 4.3–6.5% compared to control. When treating seeds with a biological product ‘Fitosporin-M’, the average productivity was 22.8 t/ha, which was on 12.9% more than control, an increase in dry matter was on 16.6%, an increase in crude protein yield was on 19.6%, an increase in crude protein percentage in grain was on 0.8%, an increase in metabolizable energy was on 1.9%, an increase in fodder units was on 1.0%.

Assessment of the resistance of highly ornamental plants of autochthonous flora to increased concentrations of pollutants

Aim. The purpose of the work is to assess the resistance of highly decorative plants of the native flora to a high level of salinity and the content of zinc, lead and cadmium for landscaping urban and roadside areas. Methods. We used seed germination under laboratory conditions with soaking in solutions of sodium chloride and salts of zinc, lead and cadmium, as well as the method of in vitro cell selection to increase resistance to salinity of Verbascum nigrum L. Results. The resistance of 7 species of highly decorative plants, representatives of the autochthonous flora of Belarus, to increasing concentrations of lead, zinc and cadmium salts was assessed. Germination capacity, length and morphology of roots, length of seedlings during germination of seeds of Betonica officinalis L., Centaurea jacea L., Verbascum nigrum, Knautia arvensis (L.) Coult., Galium verum L., Anthemis tinctoria L., Anthemis arvensis L., Viscaria vulgaris Bernh., Achillea millefolium L. in the presence of sodium chloride are shown. It has been shown that the in vitro cell selection method is promising for the selection of resistant lines of Verbascum nigrum. Conclusions. The presence of lead, zinc and cadmium salts had a significant effect on the average length of the root, hypocotyl, and cotyledonous leaves, as well as the germination capacity of highly decorative species of autochthonous flora. The most resistant to salinity were yarrow (Achillea millefolium), brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea) and black mullein (Verbascum nigrum). Lines of Verbascum nigrum, capable of growing in vitro at a sodium chloride concentration of 5 g/L, were selected. Keywords: salinity, heavy metals, seed germination, highly decorative species.

Low-energy electron beam has severe impact on seedling development compared to cold atmospheric pressure plasma

Sprouts are germinated seeds that are often consumed due to their high nutritional content and health benefits. However, the conditions for germination strongly support the proliferation of present bacteria, including foodborne pathogens. Since sprouts are consumed raw or minimally processed, they are frequently linked to cases of food poisoning. Therefore, a seed decontamination method that provides efficient inactivation of microbial pathogens, while maintaining the germination capacity and quality of the seeds is in high demand. This study aimed to investigate and compare seed decontamination by cold atmospheric-pressure plasma and low-energy electron beam with respect to their impact on seed and seedling quality. The results show that both technologies provide great potential for inactivation of microorganisms on seeds, while cold plasma yielded a higher efficiency with 5 log units compared to a maximum of 3 log units after electron beam treatment. Both techniques accelerated seed germination, defined by the percentage of hypocotyl and leaf emergence at 3 days, with short plasma treatment (< 120 s) and all applied doses of electron beam treatment (8–60 kGy). However, even the lowest dose of electron beam treatment at 8 kGy in this study caused root abnormalities in seedlings, suggesting a detrimental effect on the seed tissue. Seeds treated with cold plasma had an eroded seed coat and increased seed wettability compared to electron beam treated seeds. However, these effects cannot explain the increase in the germination capacity of seeds as this was observed for both techniques. Future studies should focus on the investigation of the mechanisms causing accelerated seed germination and root abnormalities by characterizing the molecular and physiological impact of cold plasma and electron beam on seed tissue.

Impact of Various Vacuum Impregnation Methods on Viability of Cereal Grains

Grain viability is of key importance in the production of malt. This paper presents the results of research on the influence of vacuum impregnation of grains of various cereals on theirservice life. One malting barley cultivar, two wheat cultivars, and a rye cultivar mix were tested. The grain was subjected to wet vacuum impregnation and wet vacuum impregnation carried out cyclically under the pressure of 5 kPa. Then, samples of the impregnated grain were sown and its germination capacity was tested every 24 h to 120 h. The control sample was grain soaked under atmospheric pressure. Vacuum impregnation did not cause any significant changes in the germination capacity of the examined cereal varieties. The vacuum-impregnated grain displayed a higher initial water content and germinated faster. It was found that the impregnation did not disturb the internal structure of the grain, indicated by the fact that the most delicate part of the grain, i.e., the embryo, retained its vital functions in every examined case.

Special features of fruiting in some Clematis L. cultivars from the collection of the Nikita Botanical Gardens

The article presents the results of studying the fruiting in 9 clematis cultivars under the conditions of the southern coast of Crimea. Morphometric characteristics of seeds, their weight and germination capacity are given. Potential and real seed production was assessed. It was found that the studied cultivars are characterized with high potential seed production, on average from 38.1 to 116.9 ovules per fruit, but relatively low real seed production, on average from 1.3 to 8.3 seeds per fruit. Among the studied cultivars, the largest number of viable seeds formed per plant was noted in 4 cultivars: ‘Jan Pawel II’, ‘Ramona’, ‘Elegia’ and ‘Juulii’. These cultivars are recommended for use in breeding works as maternal parental forms.

Current and Predicted Future Winter Warm Spells Would Affect Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.), Franco) Seeds in the Early Stage of Germination More Than in the Late Stage of Germination

Most tree species in the temperate climatic zone (including Douglas fir) disperse seeds in autumn. Some of them must be exposed to cold (0–10 °C) and moist conditions (cold stratification) to overcome dormancy and trigger germination. In the Northern Hemisphere, winter warm spells occur more frequently and last longer than in recent decades from eastern Canada to Europe. Our main research objective was to investigate the influence of current (1 or 3 days at day/night temperatures: 15 °C/10 °C) and future predicted (5 days at day/night temperatures: 25 °C/15 °C) winter warm spells on dormancy breaking and germination traits (germination energy—GE; germination capacity—GC; final germination capacity—FGC) of Douglas fir seeds from four old-growth stands in northern Poland. For this purpose, we interrupted cold stratification of seeds at different time points, i.e., after 3 weeks; 6 weeks; 9 or 3 weeks and 6 weeks; 3 and 9 weeks; 6 and 9 weeks; 3 and 6 weeks and 9 weeks. We found that for GE and GC, all main effects (populations—P; days of warm spell—D; stratification duration—W) and interactions were significant (except interaction P×D). FGC was significantly affected by the effects P and D and interactions of D × W and P × D × W. In addition, we found that the predicted warm spells negatively affected the early germination stage (GE and GC) of Douglas fir, but both current and future predicted winter conditions will not negatively affect the late germination stage (FGC).