Abstract
The influence of stimulation with He-Ne laser light, alternating magnetic field and the combination of these factors on germination parameters of amaranth seeds and on the chlorophyll and carotenoid content in seedlings was investigated. During the stimulation the amaranth seeds had a different initial moisture content. From the germination characteristics of the seeds as the function of humidity, three maxima and one minimum value of the germination parameters (the relative germination capacity NK REL, the relative maximum germination rate SK MAX REL and the maximum germination index WK MAX) were obtained. In the majority of cases, the extremities coincided with the changes in the chlorophyll and carotenoid content in the seedlings. The presented research is innovative in the field of seed biology since no similar studies have been conducted before. It is difficult to interpret the results referring to the literature on this subject. The results can be explained as follows: the observed effect must be related to the stages of the water uptake by the seeds. The three stages of the water uptake associated with the seed germination process coincide with the maximum values in the germination parameters and with the change in the photosynthetic pigment content in seedlings.
Highlights
Amaranth is a member of the Amaranthaceae family, genius Amaranthus[1], originating from South America
The paper presents the effect of pre-sowing electromagnetic stimulation of seeds with a certain initial moisture content
Both positive and negative effects on the germination parameters of the seeds relative to the control values were observed and they depended on the moisture content during stimulation (Figs 2–4)
Summary
Amaranth is a member of the Amaranthaceae family, genius Amaranthus[1], originating from South America. The low water content in seeds results in the state of dormancy, which, in turn, results in germination inhibition[7,8]. The second phase lasts up to several hours during which the hydrolysis of spare carbohydrates and proteins as well as the increase in the activity of biologically active substances take place This phase is reversible, but its interruption combined with the decrease in humidity reduces the vigor and vitality www.nature.com/scientificreports/. Changes related to the onset of the seed germination process occur and they are associated with the metabolism activation. This process usually takes place at the higher level of humidity[21]. The third phase of water intake is physiologically irreversible, which means that after drying the seeds completely lose their vigor[19]
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