Improving Seed Germination and Early Growth of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum) and Basil (Ocimum basilicum) with Hydro-priming

Abstract

Hydro-priming is a useful method for increasing speed and uniformity of germination in several plants, but pertinent research concerning garden cress (Lepidium sativum) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) does not exist in the literature. The effects of hydro-priming duration (0, 6, and 12 h) and temperature (15 and 25 °C) on seed germination and seedling vigour of garden cress and two varieties of basil (at priming temperature of 20 °C) were evaluated on paper and sand. With reference to garden cress, hydro-priming for 6 and 12 h at 15 °C increased uniformity of germination and reduced mean germination time. These improvements were more evident on paper. Moreover, hydro-priming for 6 and 12 h at 25 °C increased radicle length, plumule length, seedling length, and seedling vigour index on paper, but did not affect significantly those variables on sand. Overall, hydro-priming of garden cress seeds for 12 h can improve germination and early growth of this species, but germination medium can play a role due to different capacities for moisture retention. With reference to basil, hydro-priming reduced mean germination time for purple basil, but not for green basil. Also, reduced germination speed and uniformity of germination were observed for green basil on sand, but not for purple basil. Hydro-priming for 12 h increased plumule length, seedling length, and seedling vigour index for both basil varieties. Overall, hydro-priming of basil seeds for 12 h can improve germination and early growth of this species, but variety and germination medium can play a role. Data on improving germination of those species are not available in the literature and could be useful for improving plant establishment and yield of commercial plantations of garden cress and basil.