Effect of ultrasonic treatment on seed germination and seedling emergence in seven vegetable species

Abstract

This study was performed to determine the effect of ultrasound treatment on seed germination, seedling emergence and mean germination and emergence times in seeds of watermelon, melon, leek, pepper, carrot, tomato and aubergine. Seeds treated with 40 kHz ultrasound over 30 minutes (US), hydroprimed seeds (HP) and dry controls (C) were tested. US-treated seeds had 85% mean germination percentages compared to 82 and 78% for HP and C seeds, respectively. Corresponding values for seedling emergence were 83, 75 and 72%. US treatment reduced mean germination and emergence times. The maximum advantages obtained from US in germination were observed in watermelon (13%), carrot (11%), pepper (13%), leek (10%), and pepper (7%) compared to C and HP seeds, respectively. Advantages in seedling emergence obtained by US were greatest in watermelon (20%), leek (22%) and tomato (13%) compared to C and for pepper (14%), tomato (12%), melon (11%), watermelon (10%) and leek (10%) compared to HP. US treatment reduced both germination and emergence times. Results showed that US treatment was more effective on seedling emergence than germination. US treatments have the potential to increase germination and seedling emergence in vegetable seeds.