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.

POTENSI ALELOKIMIA DARI EXTRACT DAN MULSA BIOMAS TANAMAN SORGUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

[ALLELOCHEMICAL POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT AND MULCH OF PLANT BIOMASS OF SORGHUM (Sorgum bicolor L. Moench)]. This study was aimed to examine the allelopathic potential of sorghum through aqueous extract and mulch from biomass on seed germination and early growth of three tested plants, namely rice, mustard and cucumber. The results showed that the aqueous extract of the sorghum biomass significantly inhibited the germination of mustard and cucumber seeds, reduced the vigor-index of the germination of rice, mustard and cucumber seeds, and suppressed the growth of radicle length of mustard sprouts. The same thing was seen when sorghum biomass was tested as mulch which also suppressed the early growth of the tested plants on the variables of stem height, fresh and dry weight of biomass of rice, mustard and cucumber. The higher the concentration of allelochemicals extract or sorghum mulch, the stronger the inhibition on germination and early growth of the three test plants. At a concentration of 10% allelochemicals suppressed the germination of mustard and cucumber to 76 and 79%, respectively, while a dose of 10% mulch suppressed early growth in the height of rice, mustard, and cucumber to 56, 55, and 68%; and dry weight to 53, 30 and 60%. The results of this study are important information about the allelochemical potential of sorghum as a natural herbicide in integrated weed management

EFFECT OF ELECTROSTATIC FIELD ON SOYBEAN SEED GERMINATION PARAMETARS

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of electrostatic fields on seed vigor, mean rate of germination and coefficient of velocity of germination of five soybean genotypes. Testing was conducted at the Novi Sad Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops on the seeds of five soybean varieties: Sava, NS 2024, NS 1347, NS 3127, and NS Blackstar. The seeds were exposed to different values of direct current (DC) of the following voltage: 0 V (control), 3 V, 6 V and 9 V, to which the seeds were exposed for 0 min (control), 1 min and 3 min. After exposing the seeds to the electric field, the vigour index (VI), mean rate of germination (MGR) and coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG). The results show that the effect of the electrostatic field on seed vigour, mean rate of germination and coefficient of velocity of germination depends on the genotype, voltage and exposure time. The application of DC can be a suitable method for improving vigour index (VI), mean rate of germination (MGR) and coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG). In addition, the results indicate that it is necessary to adjust the DC treatment (voltage and duration of exposure of seeds) to a particular genotype, since inadequate treatments may deteriorate the quality of seeds. Keywords: electrostatic field, vigor index, MGR, CVG, soybean

Management Fusarium Wilt Disease in Tomato by Combinations of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Peppermint Oil

The most important disease of tomato is Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL). To control this disease, this study examined the combined use of bacterial bioagents and peppermint oil (PO). Seven bacterial isolates were collected from tomato plant rhizospheres and tested in vitro against FOL. The highest growth inhibition against FOL was shown by isolate No.3. This isolate was identified using 16S rRNA sequencing gene as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA). Peppermint oil tested at different concentrations (1, 2, and 3%) against FOL mycelial growth in vitro showed the highest inhibition at 3%. The effects of BA, PO, and BA + PO in vitro on the seed germination and seedling vigor index of the tomato cv. ‘Tala F1’ was also tested. All “BA, PO, and BA + PO” treatments increased the percentage of germinated seeds and seedlings’ main shoots and root length compared to control treated seeds. The BA, PO, and BA + PO treatments were further tested under greenhouse and field conditions with pre-treated seedlings in FOL-contaminated soil. Under greenhouse conditions, each treatment decreased disease severity compared to untreated seedlings. Under field conditions, pre-treatment of tomato seedlings with BA and PO treatments reduced disease severity greater than BA + PO in combination and the mock-treated plants (66.6% for BA, 66.6% for PO and 55.3% for BA + PO, respectively). These findings support the use of BA or PO as bio-control agents against F. oxysporum in tomato. The interplay between peppermint oil, B. amyloliquefaciens, F. oxysporum, and the host plant requires further study to identify the causative mechanism for this increased disease resistance.

Allelopathic Effects of Essential Oils on Seed Germination of Barley and Wheat

In this study, we evaluated the allelopathic effects of essential oils (EOs) from six different plant species, namely, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), English thyme (Thymus vulgaris), lovage (Levisticum officinale), costmary (Chrysanthemum balsamita), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum), on seed germination and seedling growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). The main constituents of the EOs of L. angustifolia were 47.0% linalool acetate and 28.4% linalool; H. officinalis’ main constituents were 39.8% cis-pinocamphone, 9.8% trans-pinocamphone, 11.4% β-pinene, and 7.5% β-phellandrene; T. vulgaris’ were 38.2% para-cymene, 25.6% thymol, and 13.6% γ-terpinene; L. officinale’s were 64.8% α-terpinyl acetate and 14.7% β-phellandrene; C. balsamita’s were 43.7% camphor, 32.4% trans-thujone, and 11.6% camphene; C. cyminum’s were 49.6% cumin aldehyde, 10.4% para-cymene, 11.6% α-terpinen-7-al, and 9.1% β-pinene. All six EOs exhibited an allelopathic effect and suppressed the seed germination and seedling development of wheat and barley; however, the concentrations that exhibited a suppressing effect were different among the plants. C. cyminum EO completely suppressed both barley and wheat germination at 10-, 30-, and 90-µL application rates, making it the most effective treatment among the tested EOs. C. balsamita’s and H. officinalis’ EOs at 30 and 90 µL application rates completely suppressed barley and wheat radicles per seed, radicle length (mm), seedling height (mm), and germination (%). L. angustifolia’s EOs at 30- and 90-µL and T. vulgaris’ EO at 90 µL application rates also completely suppressed barley and wheat radicles per seed, radicle length (mm), seedling height (mm), and germination (%). C. balsamita’s, H. officinalis’, L. angustifolia’s, and T. vulgaris’ EOs at a 10 µL application rate reduced barley radicle length, seedling height, and % germination relative to the control. Wheat seed germination % was completely suppressed by the application of L. angustifolia’s and T. vulgaris’ EOs at 30 and 90 µL, while T. vulgaris’ EO at 10 µL rate reduced the germination relative to the control. Interestingly, C. balsamita and H. officinalis at 10 µL did not reduce wheat germination; however, they did reduce the number of radicles per seed, radicle length (mm), seedling height (mm), germination (%), and vigor index. Furthermore, L. officinale’s EO reduced the measured indices (radicles per seed, radicle length, seedling height, and vigor index) at the 10, 30, and 90 µL application rates relative to the non-treated control; however, none of the application rates of L. officinale’s EO had a suppression effect on wheat germination. This study demonstrated the allelopathic effects of the EOs of six different herbal plant species on seed germination of barley and winter wheat. The results can be utilized in the development of commercial products for controlling pre-harvest sprouting of wheat and barley. Further research is needed to verify the results under field conditions.

Germination and Seedling Parameters of Wheat as Affected by Storage Conditions

A storage experiment was carried out from 27th April to 27thDecember, 2019 to study the effect of storage conditions i.e. methods (open air, under sunshade and in stores), packages type (normal, gunny, polyethylene and metal containers) and periods of seeds fumigation with phosphine (15, 30 and 45 days) on germination and seedling parameters of wheat. The experiment was arranged in a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D.) with four replications. Stored wheat seeds under sunshade produced the highest values of final germination percentage, germination index, mean germination time, plumule length, radical length, seedling vigor index and seedlings dry weight, followed by stored wheat seeds in stores. The highest germination index, mean germination time, plumule and radical lengths, seedling vigor index and seedlings dry weight were recorded in the samples of wheat seeds sealed stored in metal containers, followed by normal stored in gunny packages. The highest percentage of final germination was obtained by normal stored in gunny packages, followed by sealing storage in metal containers. The highest final germination percentage, germination index, mean germination time, plumule length, radical length, seedling vigor index and seedlings dry weight and the lowest abnormal seedlings percentage, rotten and sold seeds percentages, speed germination index, co-efficient of germination and germination energy percentage were recorded when treated with phosphine at the rate of 3 tablets/m3after 15 days from beginning the storage. This study recommended that stored wheat seeds under sunshade in metal packages and treating with phosphine at the rate of 3 tablets/m3 after 15 days from beginning the storage to enhance germination and seedlings parameter of wheat under the environmental conditions of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.

Effect of Some Planting Depths on Wheat Characteristics for Two Varieties (Iba'a 99 and Alnoor)

The impact of sowing depth in planting machine (Nordsten type) on wheat varieties (VW-Iba’a 99 and VW-Alnoor ) were tested during planting machine at three sowing depths of SD-5.4, 7, and 8.6 cm. The experiments were conducted in a factorial experiment under a complete randomized design with three replications. The wheat cultivar (VW-Iba’a 99) was meaningfully better than (VW-Alnoor ) in all studied parameters. For (VW-Iba’a 99), the germination ratio, length plant, plant vigor index, root length, root fresh weight, root plant dry, and grain yield, were 90.369%, 68.04cm, 57.14%, 17.09 cm, 1.42 g, 0.54g, and 4.441 tha-1, respectively. The sowing depth (SD -5.4cm) was significantly better than (SD-7 and 8.6cm ) in all studied parameters. The greatest assessments have come from the overlap among the SD -5.4cm, and VW_Iba’a 99.

Effect of Walnut Extract on Germination Characteristics of Several Species of Weeds

Some plants can prevent seed germination and growth in other plants by producing toxic allelochemicals materials. this study aimed was to effect of walnut extract on germination characteristics of several species of weeds. The experiment was conducted in factorial based on a completely random design with three replications. The treatments of the experiment were two walnut cultivars, four species of weeds) Soutani, Rajal, Khardel and Zivan) and four levels of walnut extract (0, 10, 20 and 30 percent). Results showed that there was a significant difference among walnut extract concentration, weed species, and interaction between them for all studied traits (P< 0.01). In present study with increase the concentration of walnut extract from zero to 30%, in all four types of weeds the germination rate, germination percentage, root, stem and seedling length, and seed vigor index were significantly reduced. Also in the treatment of 30%, walnut extract species of Khardel showed the highest, and Shoufan, Rajal, and Zivan showed the lowest germination rat, germination percentage, root, stem, and seedling length, and seed vigor index.

Harvesting Criteria and Drying Methods to Improve the Quality of Foxtail Millet Seeds (Setaria italica L. Beauv.)

Foxtail millet is annual grasses with grains that are smaller than those of sorghum, rice, and wheat, and is considered one of the minor economic crops but with nutritional values similar to other major food crops. The development of millet as major cereal crop is considered challenging due to the low quality of its seeds, and studies have been conducted to improve millet’s seed quality. We conducted this study to determine the harvesting criteria of foxtail millet seeds based on the change in color of the panicles. We also wanted to determine the drying treatment, and evaluate the relationship between the position of the seed on the panicles and the seed viability and vigor. The first experiment was arranged based on a completely randomized design with panicle color as the first factor (green, yellow 75%, and brown) and drying time as the second factor (0 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours). The second experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with seed position as the main factor (base, middle, tip). The study was conducted on two genotypes of millet, i.e. “BOTOK 4” and “BOTOK 10”. The highest seed quality of “BOTOK 4” and “BOTOK 10” genotypes were obtained when the panicles were brown and dried for 72 hours; the seed chlorophyll content was the lowest and water content was 8.88%, with the highest viability and vigor, i.e., germination rate of 88.3%-90%, maximum growth potential of 92%-95.3%, normal sprout dry weight 596-620 mg, vigor index of 33.6% - 21.6%, and growth rate of 18.2%-17.1% etmal-1. The highest seed viability and vigor in “BOTOK 4” genotypes were obtained from the base position, i.e., 78.7% germination rate, maximum growth potential of 83.7%, vigor index of 56.5%, growth speed of 19.6 etmal-1, normal sprout dry weight of 48 mg, radicle length of 3.3 cm) and “BOTOK 10” genotypes from the middle position with 91.5% germination, maximum growth potential of 97.2%, vigor index of 21.7%, growth speed of 17.0% etmal-1, and normal sprout dry weight 61 mg.

Studies on Seed Dormancy Breaking in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Variety Poinsett

Experiments were carried out to study the effect of chemicals in breaking the dormancy of cucumber. The study was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore during 2017-2018. The seeds of cucumber variety Poinsett were treated with various chemicals immediately after harvest to standardize the best dormancy breaking treatment. The design of the experiment was Factorial Randomised Block Design with two replications. The seeds were treated with the chemicals for 12 hrs and 24 hours duration. The germination test was conducted. Observations on seed and seedling quality parameters viz., speed of germination, and germination percent, vigor index I and vigor index II were recorded. At 12 hours duration, the highest speed of germination (23.29) was recorded in T2 (GA3150 ppm) whereas the highest germination percentage (92) was recorded in T8 (Ethrel150 ppm). At 24 hours duration, the highest speed of germination (30.77) and the highest germination percentage (86) was observed in T12 (KNO3500 ppm). At 12 hours duration, the highest Vigor Index I (2800.16) was recorded in T9 (Ethrel 500 ppm) while the vigor Index II was the highest (12.19) in T8 (Ethrel150 ppm). At 24 hours duration, the highest Vigor Index I (2349.28) was observed in T10 (Ethrel 1000 ppm) while the vigor Index II was the highest (14.066) in T11 (KNO3150 ppm).