Copper Oxide Nanoparticle Seed Priming and Its Impact on Germination, Seedling Growth, and Vigour Index of Vigna mungo

The influence of hydropriming and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) on germination and growth indices, followed by optimizing and validation via artificial intelligence-based models was carried out in this research. White LEDs (W-LEDs) were more effective by yielding the most effective growth indices, such as mean germination time (MGT) (1.11 day), coefficient of variation of germination time (CVt) (20.72%), mean germination rate (MR) (0.81 day−1), uncertainty (U) (0.40 bit), and synchronization (Z values) (0.79); the optimum MGT (1.09 day), CVt (15.97%), MR (0.77 day−1), U (0.32 bit), and Z (0.55) values were found after 2 h of hydropriming, which was responsible for all efficient growth indicators. W-LEDs with 1 h hydropriming proved to be the ideal LED and hydropriming combination. Results on growth indices for in vitro seedlings were completely different from those on germination indices, and the most desirable germination indices were linked to red LEDs (R-LEDs). Whereas 4 h hydropriming was most effective for the post-germination process. Pareto charts, normal plots, contour plots, and surface plots were created to optimize the input variables. Finally, the data were predicted using Arificial Neural Network (ANN) inspired multilayer perceptron (MLP) and machine learning-based random forest (RF) algorithms. For both models, plant height was correlated with maximum R2 values. Whereas, all output variables had relatively low mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) scores, indicating that both models performed well. The results of this investigation disclosed a link between certain LEDs and hydropriming treatment for in vitro germination indices and plant growth.Graphical Graphical presentation of actual and predicted values for germination indices in chickpea

In Ethiopia, wheat productivity is constrained by water stress especially at germination and seedling stage. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of moisture stress on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars. Four wheat cultivars (Danda’a, Kubsa, Huluka and Local) were treated with six levels of water stress (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 g L-1) using PEG-6000. The experiment was arranged factorally in completely randomized design with three replications. Data on germination and growth indices were collected and analyzed using one way ANOVA. The result revealed that highest germination percentage (99.7%), germination rate (14.6 plants day-1) and seedling vigor index (9.67) were obtained from the local cultivar. Progressive increase in water stress had also significantly reduced germination indices. There was no significant difference among the cultivars in producing taller root and shoot length. The local cultivar had significantly produced highest root number (4.3 plant-1), shoot fresh weight (0.214 g), seedling fresh (0.314 g) and dry weight (0.097 g). Even though, all the growth parameters of wheat cultivars showed a diminishing trend with increasing the level of PEG-6000 induced water stress, a highly significant decrease in the parameters were observed starting from 150 g L-1 PEG concentration. Higher shoot length inhibition was observed for Danda’a cultivar followed by Huluka. Huluka’s root growth was more inhibited than Danda’a. According to the growth and germination indices results, the local cultivar is the drought tolerant wheat cultivar. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22651 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 55-60, December, 2014

For investigation of the effect of seed priming by potassium nitrate on germination and biochemical indices of Silybum marianum L. under salinity stress, factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with two factor including different concentrations of potassium nitrate (0, 0.25 and 0.35 mM) and calcium chloride (0, 150 and 250 mM) at three replicates was carried out. Results showed that salinity stress decrease the germination indices and amount of seedling protein and also increase the peroxidase activity. With using of 0.25 mM potassium nitrate germination indices were improved and peroxidase activity was reduced. Also, results showed that seed priming with 0.35 mM was not suitable. Therefore, seed priming with 0.25 mM potassium nitrate was improved seedling growth and germination indices under salinity stress.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v9i1.11922 International Journal of Life Sciences Vol.9(1) 2015 23-28

The phytotoxicity of four different composts obtained from pig slurry solid fraction composted by itself (SSFC) and mixed with sawdust (SC), woodchips (WCC) and wheat straw (WSC) was tested with bioassay methods. For each compost type, the effect of water extracts of compost on seed germination and primary root growth of cress (Lepidium Sativum L.) was investigated. Composts were also chemically analysed for total nitrogen, ammonium, electrical conductivity and heavy metal (Cu and Zn). The chemicals were correlated to phytotoxicity indices. The mean values of the germination index (GI) obtained were 160.7, 187.9, 200.9 and 264.4 for WSC, WCC, SC and SSFC, respectively. Growth index (GrI) ranged from the 229.4%, the highest value, for SSFC, followed by 201.9% for SC, and 193.1% for WCC, to the lowest value, 121.4%, for WSC. Electrical conductivity showed a significant and negative correlation with relative seed germination at the 50% and 75% concentrations. A strong positive correlation was found for water-extractable Cu with relative root growth and germination index at the 10% concentration. Water-extractable Zn showed a significant positive correlation with relative root growth and GI at the 10% concentration. These results highlighted that the four composts could be used for organic pellet production and subsequently distributed as a soil amendment with positive effects on seed germination and plant growth (GI > 80%).

Current research is considered to study the effect of nonthermal physical field technologies of atmospheric cold plasma (CP) and ultrasound waves (US) on the germination and seedling indices of cumin seeds. In this regard, different drying strategies were planned in a single and combined form using a lab‐scale cold plasma unit and ultrasound‐assisted air dryer. Various duration of CP pretreatment (CPt: 0, 15, and 30 s), ultrasound power (P: 0, 60, 120, and 180 W), and air temperature (T: 30, 35, and 40°C) were practiced to investigate the changes in germination traits and microstructure characteristics of cumin seeds. It was found that CP pretreatment and ultrasound treatment in a single form significantly increased germination percentage, germination index, and germination rate as well as seeding vigor of cumin seeds. The morphological alteration in the surface of the seeds, which modifies the seed surface hydrophilicity and accelerates water uptake, may be the leading cause of CP and US‐induced modification in the germination power. The highest stimulatory effect belonged to the combined application of cold plasma and ultrasound wave when the cumin seeds were treated with an appropriate CP dose and ultrasound energy. So that, the maximum germination percentage (92%), germination index (14.91), and germination rate (21.33%), as well as the highest values of seedling vigor index I (178.67 mm) and vigor index II (420.72 mg), were in possession of pretreatment with CPt: 15 s before ultrasound‐assisted drying at T ≤ 35°C and P ≤ 120 W.Practical ApplicationsThis study demonstrates the potential of cold plasma and ultrasound wave before and during air drying of cumin seeds, respectively. Cold plasma was used as a nonthermal and nonchemical pretreatment strategy before air drying of cumin seeds in ultrasound‐assisted dryer. A single application of cold plasma caused a significant increase in germination percentage, germination index, and germination rate of cumin seeds. The positive effect of cold plasma on the studied parameter of cumin seeds intensified when it was supported by airborne low‐power ultrasound waves during air drying.

Salinity is one of the significant problems in rice production as it limits its growth and development. Salinity can occur through natural processes due to weathering and human intervention, such as irrigation. The present study reports two different rice varieties, 'Makrilha' and 'Thevur' which are categorized as very long (< 7.50 mm) and slender in shape (< 3.0 mm) and subjected to different salt treatments (0 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM, and 300 mM NaCl solutions) and their germination responses, such as germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), mean germination time (MGT), vigor index (VI), root and shoot length. The study concluded that Makrilha has a higher GP (88.33%) as compared to Thevur (63%) at 200 mM NaCl solution. Both the rice showed 100% germination in the control 0 mM and 100 mM salt solutions, and no germination was recorded in the 300 mM NaCl solution. GI was recorded at its maximum in Makrilha as compared to Thevur. MGT and VI were more concentrated in Thevur than Makrilha. There was a significant difference in GI, VI, root, and shoot length (P < 0.05) as salinity increased for both rices. There was no significant difference in GP (P = 0.122) and MGT (P = 0.088). The study also found a positive correlation between GI and GP. MGT is negatively correlated with GP and GI. VI is positively correlated with GP, and GI is negatively correlated with MGT. Root and shoot length are positively correlated with GP, GI, and VI but negatively correlated with MGT for both rice varieties. The rice root and shoot length are affected as salt concentration increases and are statistically significant (root P = 0.012, shoot P = 0.001). Salt is used to control weeds in almost every part of Nagaland. Thus, the effect of salt applications needs to be studied in rice. Based on the data obtained for germination parameters such as GP, GI, VI, MGT, root and shoot length, 'Makrilha' tends to show more tolerance towards salinity as compared to 'Thevur' under controlled environmental conditions. Thus, this study can provide insight into selecting rice with a higher salt tolerance for cultivation.

This study evaluated the effects of cadmium (Cd) on seed germination and the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Pinus massoniana, which was used as the experimental material; culture dishes and germination boxes were used as testing devices. Seed germination and seedling growth in the presence of various Cd concentrations (0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 2, and 0 mg/L) were explored. The germination indexes of Pinus massoniana seeds used were germination percentage (GP), germination energy (GE), germination index (GI), vigor index (VI). and embryo length. The indexes of early growth of seedlings used were soluble sugar and soluble protein content, antioxidant enzyme activity, Cd content, and Cd enrichment. We found that Pinus massoniana presented reduced GP, GE, GI, VI, and embryo length with increasing Cd concentrations, and the VI and embryo length significantly decreased (P < .05). The physiological and biochemical indexes of Pinus massoniana seedlings were promoted at low Cd concentrations and inhibited at high Cd concentrations; each index peaked under 0.4 mg/L Cd. The Cd content in seedlings and the degree of enrichment decreased and then increased with increasing Cd concentration. Grey correlation analysis results showed that the effects of Cd stress were the strongest on embryo length in seeds (correlation degree: 0.769). Study Implications: The effect of heavy metal pollution on seed germination and growth is closely related to phytoremediation of heavy metal soil. Pinus massoniana is the most widely distributed pine species in China. It is an economically important industrial timber with important ecological value. This study found that under the stress of different cadmium concentrations, heavy metal Cd stress inhibited the germination of Pinus massoniana seeds, and moderate Cd concentration promoted the physiological and biochemical of Pinus massoniana seedlings. Pinus massoniana seedlings have the ability to enrich heavy metal Cd.

In order to investigate the effects of osmotic stress on forage sorghum varieties at critical stage of germination to salinity stress. A study was conducted at the Seed Technology Laboratory of Mansoura University, Egypt during April to June 2012. Three for- age sorghum cultivars (Mabrouk, Horas, Pionner-8581) were evaluated in the salinity concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 dSm-1 NaCl. Four parameters namely final germination percentage, germination index, energy of germination and seedling vigour index were estimated. Eight seedling characters namely shoot and root length, shoot and root foliage weight, shoot and root dry weight, seed- ling height reduction and relative seedling dry weight were measured. Forage sorghum cultivars significantly varied in means of final germination percentage, germination index, seedling vigor index, energy of germination, shoot and root lengths, shoot and root fresh weights, shoot and root dry weights, seedling height reduction and relative dry weight. Horas cultivar surpassed other cultivars in all of the studied characters followed by Mabrouk cultivar which came in the second rank, while Pioneer 858 cultivar came in the last rank. Pioneer 858 cultivar recorded highest values of seedling height reduction and relative dry weight followed by Mabrouk cultivar, while, Horas cultivar came in the last rank for both characters. Increasing salinity levels from 0 to 15 dSm -1 significantly decreased germination percentage, germination index, seedling vigor index, energy of germination, shoot and root lengths, shoot and root fresh weights, shoot and root dry weights and relative dry weight, the control treatment recorded the highest averages of these characters. Thus, the lowest averages of these characters were recorded with highest salinity levels i.e. 15 dSm-1. Seedling height reduction percentage was in- creased significantly with increasing salinity levels from 0 to 15 dSm-1. Results clearly showed that germination index, seedling vigor index, shoot and root lengths, shoot and root fresh weights, shoot and root dry weights, seedling height reduction and relative dry weight significantly affected by the interaction between forage sorghum cultivars and salinity concentrations. It could be concluded that Hoars cultivar was more tolerant to salinity stress followed by Mabrouk cultivars which must be put in breeding program of forage sorghum under salinity conditions.

Treatment of seeds of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (Ratna and IR36) separately with 10-5and 10-4M PbCl2and HgCl2decreased germination percentage, germination index (GI), shoot and root length, tolerance index (TI), vigour index (VI) and dry mass of shoot and root but increased percentage difference from control (% DFC) of germination and percentage phytotoxicity in both the cultivars. It was observed from these indices that the phytotoxic effect of mercury was greater than lead at identical concentrations and that IR36 appeared more tolerant than Ratna to these metals. Among the monitoring indices examined, TI, VI, and % phytotoxicity seemed to serve as good biological monitoring methods for evaluating the relative toxicity of lead and mercury to rice cultivars.

In order to study the plant growth regulator, using salicylic acid (SA) on germination and growth indices for laboratory research in crop year 2014-2015, which was conducted at the research center Safiabad-Dezful, Khuzestan province. The treatments included four levels of priming with salicylic acid {control (distilled water), 0.7, 1.2, 1.7 mM} in a completely randomized design in three replications. The results showed that the control treatment reduced the decrease in germination time. The highest percentage of germination and related characteristics of the control (distilled water) was obtained. Seed vigor and seedling vigor index were reduced in high concentrations of salicylic acid. The germination percentage of an average daily germination, seed vigor and seedling vigor index had a positive and significant correlation with the daily germination rate showed a significant negative correlation. The results of comparison of treatments showed that the treatment concentration of 0.7 mM salicylic acid highest (22.3 days) and control (distilled water) lowest (0.3 day) had mean germination time. Effects of priming showed the highest mean daily germination (15.44) related to the control and the lowest (2.97) related to the concentration of 7.1 mM salicylic acid. Also, the results showed that the 1.7 mM salicylic acid treatment had the highest number of germinated seeds per day (0.3880) and control treatment had the least number of germinated seeds per day (0.6467). The highest vigor index was observed in control treatment with seedling length of (8.15 cm) and the lowest vigor index was observed in 1.7 mM salicylic acid treatment with seedling length of (1.54 cm). The highest seedling vigor index was observed in control treatment (33.58) and the lowest seedling vigor index was observed in 1.7 mM salicylic acid treatment (17.20). The coefficient velocity germination rate in control treatment was highest (3) and in the 1.7 mM salicylic acid treatment was lowest (0.15). The correlation coefficient between vigor index and seedling vigor index has the highest value (98%). There was a positive correlation between germination percentage and mean daily germination and there was a negative correlation between germination percentage and daily germination speed.

不同浓度5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)浸种对NaCl胁迫下番茄种子发芽率及芽苗生长的影响

This study aimed to investigate the effects of priming treatments on germination indices of soybean cultivars under osmotic stress in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement of treatments in a botany laboratory located in Kordestan Province, Sanandaj, Iran. Experimental treatments included three treatments of priming (control and gibberellin at a concentration of 0.04%), cultivar (Clark and Hobbit), and osmotic stress (control and -1.5MPa) in three replications. The standard germination test was performed according to the guidelines presented by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and some germination indices, including germination percentage, germination rate, germination uniformity, and mean germination time up to 10% germination (D10), were calculated at the end of the experiment using German program. In addition, some growth indices and enzymatic activities were also evaluated in this study. Results of the analysis of variance indicated that the triple interaction of A×B×C had significant effects on all germination indices and the lowest coefficient of variation (equal to 7.55) was obtained for germination rate while its highest value (equal to 17.22) was calculated for germination uniformity index. Concerning the effects of priming treatment, it was observed that the highest values for indices of germination percentage and germination rate (with averages of 48% and 0.12, respectively) were obtained under the application of gibberellin. In other words, gibberellin treatment led to increases equal to 15.58 and 90.44% for germination percentage and germination rate indices compared to the control treatment, respectively. In addition, increasing osmotic stress levels had a significant inverse relationship with germination indices so that the application of -1.5 MPa osmotic stress significantly Decreased the germination percentage and germination rate of both Clark and Hobbit cultivars. In general, it was concluded that the application of gibberellin mitigated adverse effects of osmotic stress of -1.5 MPa and resulted in an increasing percentage and rate of germination under stressful conditions.

EFFECTS OF N-FORM AND SALINE PRIMING ON GERMINATION AND VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF GALIA-TYPE MELON (CUCUMIS MELO L. CV. PRIMAL) UNDER SALINITY

Influences of discharge voltage on wheat seed vitality were investigated in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma system at atmospheric pressure and temperature. Six different treatments were designed, and their discharge voltages were 0.0, 9.0, 11.0, 13.0, 15.0, and 17.0 kV, respectively. Fifty seeds were exposed to the DBD plasma atmosphere with an air flow rate of 1.5 L min-1 for 4 min in each treatment, and then the DBD plasma-treated seeds were prepared for germination in several Petri dishes. Each treatment was repeated three times. Germination indexes, growth indexes, surface topography, water uptake, permeability, and α-amylase activity were measured. DBD plasma treatment at appropriate energy levels had positive effects on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. The germination potential, germination index, and vigor index significantly increased by 31.4%, 13.9%, and 54.6% after DBD treatment at 11.0 kV, respectively, in comparison to the control. Shoot length, root length, dry weight, and fresh weight also significantly increased after the DBD plasma treatment. The seed coat was softened and cracks were observed, systematization of the protein was strengthened, and amount of free starch grain increased after the DBD plasma treatment. Water uptake, relative electroconductivity, soluble protein, and α-amylase activity of the wheat seed were also significantly improved after the DBD plasma treatment. Roles of active species and ultraviolet radiation generated in the DBD plasma process in wheat seed germination and seedling growth are proposed. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:120-131, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A study was carried out to assess the storage potential of onion genotypes under natural as well as accelerated ageing conditions. Freshly harveted seeds of thirty onion genotypes were subjected to nine months of natural ageing as well as accelerated ageing for 3 and 6 days (42oC and 75% RH). Significant effects of seed ageing on germination percent, seed vigour index, mean germination time and germination index were recorded. Germination percent ranged from 56.0- 96.0 percent in unaged seeds, which declined to 31.0-82.0 and 18.0-83.0 percent respectively after natural (9 months) and accelerated ageing treatments (6 days). In the current study, the seed germination and vigour indices decreased significantly, whereas the mean germination time increased for all the genotypes under both ageing treatments. Further, cluster analysis was utilized to categorize the onion genotypes into good or poorer storers. A significant and positive correlation was found among both natural as well as artificial ageing treatments. The study facilitated the categorization of onion genotypes into distinct storage groups by evaluating their performance under both natural as well as accelerated ageing.