Hydropriming: a strategy to increase Lotus corniculatus L. seed vigor

Abstract

Lotus corniculatus L. is a widely distributed perennial forage legume that faces constraints related to establishment because low seed vigor. This study comprises the evaluation of a priming approach as a strategy to improve the physiological quality of the seed. For this purpose, seeds from two seed lots of San Gabriel cultivar, harvested in 1999 (seed lot A) and 1993 (seed lot B) were primed. The seeds were hydrated in aerated water for 19 h (seed lot At or 23 h (seed lot B). The hydration treatment significantly (P≤0.05) reduced the time to 50% of germination (T 50 ) from 51 to 30 hours for seed lot A and from 80 to 44 hours for seed lot B. Similarly, time to 30% of seedling emergence was reduced by 18 and 26% for seed lots A and B, respectively. The uniformity of both germination and seedling emergence were also considerably improved and the seed vigor was significantly increased (P≤0.05) by 16 and 145% for seed lots A and B, respectively. However, neither the percentage germination or seedling soil emergence of either seed loot was modified by treatment.