Indonesia

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

Introduction Environmental stresses, especially drought and salinity stresses are considered as inhibitors of plant growth and development. The salinity stress cause delay in germination, decrease in the rate and percentage of germination and delay in the emergence of roots and stems in the germination stage. It seems that if seed could pass through the germination stage under stress conditions, the seedling will have more opportunity to grow and develop, and will have the higher ability to tolerate and overcome adverse environmental conditions. This greatly depends on the biochemical and physiological structures of the seedlings. The response is also species and genotypes dependent and depends on the length and severity of the salinity, the age, and stage of development. Differences in the salt tolerance have variation among species within a genus, and of genotypes within a species. black caraway (Nigella sativa L.) is an annual plant with valuable medicinal properties belong to Ranunculaceae family. Because Black caraway growth is slow at the beginning of the season, and on the other hand, salinity and drought are some limiting and effective factors on germination and other stages of plant growth, the aim of this study was to evaluate different N. sativa ecotypes in terms of tolerance to salinity and drought. Materials and methods In order to investigate the effects of salinity and drought stress on seed germination factors of fourteen black caraway, two separate experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design in the Seed Technology Laboratory of the University of Tehran in 2018. The treatments consisted of fourteen black caraway ecotypes (Ashkzar, Arak, Isfahan, Eqlid, Bejestan, Khaf, Khomeini Shahr, Razan, Zabol 1, Zabol 2, Sarayan, Semirum, Gardmiran, Hamedan), six salinity stress levels (0 , 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 mM) and four levels of drought stress (0, 0.3, -0.6 and -0.9 MPa) with four replicates in each level. Salinity stress levels were due to different concentrations of sodium chloride and levels of drought stress were due to different concentrations of polyethylene glycol 6000. Distilled water was used to create a zero stress level (control treatment) in both experiments. To conduct the experiments, 50 seeds were placed on filter paper in 8 cm diameter Petri dishes containing 7 mL of each solution. Petri dishes were kept in the growth chamber at a constant temperature of 20°C. The number of seeds germinated was recorded daily until no germination was observed for two consecutive days. The Germin program was used to calculate germination percentage and rate of germination. In addition, to illustrate the germination response to drought stress, the hydrotime model was used. Results and discussion salinity experiment; The highest Ymax (germination percentage) was found in Razan, Arak, and Ashkzar ecotypes (99.5, 99.33 and 99.16% respectively) and the lowest in Khomeini-e-Shahr ecotype (85.83%). The highest salinity tolerance threshold (X0) was detected in Semirum ecotype (37.17 mM). Arak ecotype had the highest rate of germination (0.013 per hour) in salinity conditions. Thus, Semirom ecotype was the most tolerance ecotype due to the higher salinity tolerance threshold. Drought experiment; The minimum hydrotime constant (θH= 284.040 MPa h) was related to the Bejestan ecotype, and the lowest water potential (Ψb(50)= -0.563 MP ) was observed in the Isfahan ecotype. Since there is a positive correlation between the less water potential )Ψb(50) ( and the emergence percentage and rate of seedling emergence, the Isfahan ecotype was the most tolerant among biotypes that were studied. Conclusion In general, the results of these experiments showed that salinity and drought stresses reduced the percentage and rate of germination. Germination percentage response shape and germination rate were different between various ecotypes. Hydrotime model and salinity regression have high ability in separating ecotypes for germination components. The Bejestan and the Isfahan ecotypes are recommended for cultivation in drought conditions. In salt stress conditions, the Semirom ecotype was the most tolerant ecotype among ecotypes.

In order to examine seed germination responses of kochia to different levels of salinity, an experiment was performed in the Institute of Sustainable Agriculture (CSIC), Cordoba, Spain, in a completely randomized design with two replications. Treatments were different levels of salinities equal to 0,5, 10, 15, and 20 ds/m, obtained by mixing NaCl and CaCl2 in a 2:1 molar ratio. Evaluated properties were germination percentage, rate and final number of germinated seeds. The results showed that the germinated seed number and the germination percentage had a converse relation with salinity levels. About 91% of seeds were germinated in distilled water. This value reduced to about 36% in 20 ds/m. Increasing salinity up to 10 ds/m did not have any significant effects on germination, but after that, the germination rate and percentage begun to reduce significantly. Salinity also increased the time required for 50% germination from 28 hours in distilled water to 78 hours in 20 ds/m, showing a delay in germination as salinity increased. Regarding linear reduction in germination rate in response to increase in salinity, it seems that as salinity exceeds 30 ds/m, germination rate of kochia approaches zero. This perhaps could be accepted as the threshold of kochia germination tolerance to salinity. According to the results, the germination stage of kochia has a good tolerance to elevated levels of salinity and it seems that a good stand establishment in saline soils and water conditions could be insured, if proper management is exerted in farms.

Fennel is one of the most important medicinal and spice plants and has become one of the most important economical medicinal plants in Mediterranean, and the Middle East. The germination ability and percentage are fundamental characteristics which influence the viability of the plants. Prechilling has meaningful influence on coleoptile length, radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage, mean time for germination and germination rate, but uniformity of seed germination did not significantly influenced by it. The cultivar effect was significant on coleoptile length, radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage and germination rate. However, mean time for germination and uniformity of seed germination did not significantly affected by cultivar. All experimental characteristics, except uniformity of seed germination, significantly influenced by hormone. The maximum coleoptile length, radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage and germination ratio was related to 45 days moist prechilling treatment. Isfahan cultivar also had obtained the highest coleoptile and radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage and germination ratio compare to Shiraz cultivar. It seems that application of endogenous GA3+KI and BA+KI concentration, which is provided mostly by chilling treatment, is the most effective factor for breaking the seed dormancy. On the basis of the results, usage of 45 days moist prechilling accompanied with application of GA3+KI and BA+KI in Isfahan cultivar was appropriate.

Increased Germination through Pregermination Treatments of Chinese Pistache Seeds

King sago palm or sago cycas are the other name of Kangi palm ( Cycas revoluta ) sago palm has been used as an indoor and outdoor landscape plant for centuries. The present study was conducted to estimate the effect of different priming treatments on seed germination of sago palm ( Cycas revoluta L.) in the research area of Department of Horticulture PMAS, University of Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The Experiment consisted of ten treatments; the seeds without pulp were soaked in solution of 500, 750 and 1000 ppm GA 3 and 2%, 3% and 4% solution of KNO 3 for 24 hr at room temperature. In case of hot water treatment, seeds were primed at 80 o C, 90 o C and 100 o C for 30, 20 and 10 minutes respectively. The effect of different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA 3 ), potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) and hot water on various parameters like germination rate, germination percentage, germination value, decayed seed percentage, time of germination, number of leaves and seedling height were studied. Significant results of germination rate (55.56 days), germination value (192.19) were achieved from 500 ppm GA 3 . Maximum germination percentage (73.33%) and number of leaves (2) were observed in KNO 3 at 2% followed by 500 ppm GA 3 . Similarly lowest decayed seed percentage (26.66%) and time of germination (59.41 days) were noted in 2% KNO 3 . The seedling height was optimum (19.33 cm) in 3% KNO 3 followed by 2% KNO 3 . Best germination results were obtained due to permeability of hard seed coat made by low concentrations of priming treatments (KNO 3 @ 3%).

Seed dormancy is one of the major problems in agricultural studies, especially for medical plants. Anise ( Pimpinella anisum L.) is an important medical plant with dormant seed and it is established and distributed only in its natural habitats. In order to evaluate the effects of some pretreatment factors on primary growth and germination characteristics of Anise, an experiment was conducted as Factorial layout within completely randomized design with four replications. Pre-chilling treatments were 0, 15, 30 and 45 days treatments and hormone treatments were GA 3 (Gibberellic Acid), BA (Benzyladenine), KI (Kinetin), GA 3 +BA, GA 3 +KI, BA+KI, GA 3 +BA+KI, KNO 3 , H 2 SO 4 and distilled water as a control treatment. Prechilling treatment effects on coleoptile and radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage, mean time for germination, germination rate and seed vigor index were meaningful. Different hormone treatments had significant influence on coleoptile and radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage, mean time germination, germination rate and seed vigor index. The highest germination percentage and germination rate was related to usage of BA+KI. The higher values for radicle length and uniformity of seed germination were achieved in application of BA and KI, respectively. Moreover, application of GA 3 +BA+KI had obtained the highest seed vigor index. It seems that application of endogenous GA 3 +KI and BA+KI concentration, which is provided mostly by chilling treatment, is the most effective factor for breaking the seed dormancy. On the basis of the results, usage of 45 days moist prechilling accompanied with application of GA 3 +KI and BA+KI in Esfahan cultivar was appropriate.

نیاز به گراس‌های متحمل به شوری در حال افزایش است. رشد سریع جمعیت شهر نشین فشار عمدهای را به منابع آب شیرین وارد ساخته است. به همین منظور جهت بررسی تاثیر تنش شوری بر جوانه‌زنی و رشد گیاهچه توده‌های مختلف فسکویه بلند (Festuca arundinacea) آزمایشی به صورت فاکتوریل در قالب طرح کاملا تصادفی با 12 ژنوتیپ فسکویه بلند از مناطق اصفهان (یزد آباد)، کامیاران، یاسوج، داران، سناجان، بروجن، مشهد، سمیرم، گندمان (نصیرآباد)، سنندج و البرز و فسکویه بلند وارداتی به عنوان فاکتور اول و چهار سطح شوری 0، 45، 90 و 135 میلی‌مولار Nacl به عنوان فاکتور دوم با چهار تکرار انجام شد. نتایج نشان داد که افزایش سطوح شوری موجب کاهش معنی‌دار درصد جوانه‌زنی، سرعت جوانه‌زنی، طول ریشهچه، طول ساقهچه وشاخصبنیه بذر در تمام ژنوتیپ ها شد. همچنین، اثر متقابل شوریو ژنوتیپ نیز برای صفات سرعت و درصد جوانه زنی و بنیه بذر معنی‌دار بود.اکثر گراس‌های مورد مطالعه در این آزمایش شوری تا 45 میلی‌مولار را بدون آن‌که مولفه‌های جوانه‌زنی به طور قابل ملاحظه‌ای تحت تاثیر قرار بگیرند را تحمل نمودند. توده‌های مشهد و بروجن در سطح شوری 135 میلی‌مولار بیشترین میزان را در صفات درصد و سرعت جوانه‌زنی نشان دادند. همچنین، در مجموع صفات جوانه‌زنی، توده‌های داران و مشهد نسبت به سایرین کمترین کاهش را داشته و می‌توانند به عنوان ژنوتیپ‌های متحمل به شوری در مرحله جوانه‌زنی پیشنهاد گردند.

Seed priming has proved to be an effective method in imparting stress tolerance to plants using natural and/or synthetic compounds to treat the seeds before germination. The present study was designed to investigate the physiological mechanism of seed priming with ZnSO4 (osmopriming) and distilled water (hydropriming) on sugar beet genotypes (‘Shokofa’, ‘Sina’, ‘Paya’, ‘Turbata’, and ‘Aria’) germination indices, seedling growth parameters, and biochemical properties under salinity stress (0, 2, 5, and 12 dS/m NaCl). A significant reduction in germination percentage (33.23%), germination rate (77.2%), chlorophyll a, b, and total contents (43.9, 31.9, and 39.9%, respectively) while, a significant increase in radical, plumule, and seedling length (57.1, 44.4, and 51.2%, respectively), seedling vigour index (48.9%), superoxide dismutase activity (61.3%), proline (54.0%) and sugar (56.3%) contents were achieved at 12 dS/m NaCl in compared to the control treatment. Seed hydropriming and osmopriming caused significant improvements in photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activity, and proline content reflected in high germination percentage and rate as well as seedling vigour index and reduced mean germination time under salinity. ‘Paya’ and ‘Aria’ genotypes had a superiority according to the germination percentage and seedling vigour index, respectively. The hydropriming of ‘Paya’ genotype resulted in the highest germination percentage (95%) under high level of salinity (12 dS/m) which 11.84% increase compared to the control treatment. Hydropriming of ‘Sina’ seeds showed the highest chlorophyll a and total, and carotenoids under non-stress conditions (22.89, 31.65, and 2116.6 µg/g FW). Also, hydropriming by increases chlorophyll b content led to the modulation of the negative effects of high salinity stress (12 dS/m). In conclusion, different seed priming treatments in sugar beet seeds improved the salinity tolerance by physiological characteristics nonetheless hydropriming was the most effective treatment to get higher germination indices in ‘Paya’ and ‘Aria’ genotypes.

Salinity stress is a major environmental constraint in arid and semi-arid regions such as Iran. Excessive amounts of salt in soil severely reduce seed germination and seedling growth of crops in agricultural systems. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of temperature, salinity and their interaction on the germination and seedling growth of nine medicinal plant species including Salvia nemorosa L., Marrubium vulgare L., Hyssopus officinalis L., Origanum majorana L., Ocimum basilicum L., Nepeta racemosa Lam., Oenothera biennis L., Silybum marianum L. and Cnicus benedictus L. Treatments included three temperatures (15, 25 and 35°C) and four NaCl concentrations (0, 5.3, 8.48 and 10.6g.l-1). A completely randomized design with three replications was used. Results showed that salinity treatments had significant effect on germination percentage, germination rate, seedling growth and seedling vigor in all nine medicinal plant species. Germination percentage and germination rate of all medicinal plant species gradually declined as the concentration of NaCl increased. Significant decrease in germination percentage and germination rate was observed at higher levels of salt concentration. Ocimum basilicum L. and Salvia nemorosa L. were the only two among nine medicinal plants in this study that germinated in salinity concentration higher than 5.3g.l–1. Germination rate and germination percentage of all species, except Ocimum basilicum were adversely affected by increasing temperature to 35°C. The highest seedling vigor in most species was observed in a temperature range of 15–25°C and increasing temperature up to 35°C, strongly decreased it. The interaction effect of temperature and NaCl concentration on final germination in all species was significant, indicating that germination response to salinity depended on temperature. The inhibitory effect of high salinity on final germination, germination rate, seedling growth and seedling vigor was greater at 35°C than at 15°C.

The germination process is considered the most crucial factor in a plant’s life cycle as it seriously affects the successful execution of afforestation and reforestation programs. The successful plantation programme on wastelands requires a basic knowledge of some key factors that influence seed germination. The seeds of most leguminous plants are not able to germinate properly, while the potentiality of a plant and its growth depends much on seed germination. In the recent observation, five plant species namely Acacia mangium Willd., Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth, Bauhinia acuminata Linn., Millettia pinnata (L.) and Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) K.Heyne, were taken as plant materials to determine the rate of germination percentage. Plant seeds are sown in Petri dishes on Whatman no. 1 filter paper moistened with distilled water under room temperature. Under controlled conditions, seed germination percentage is very low except for B. acuminata. Pretreatment with phytohormones (250 μg ml-1 of IAA and GA) and nitrogenous substances (2.5 mM of potassium nitrate and Thiourea) results in some improvement in the germination percentage in all five tree legumes.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pre-sowing seed treated by soaking in distilled water and two concentrates of hydrochloric Acid (0.03 N HCl and 0.3 N HCl) at three different time ( 2, 4 and 6 h) by factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with three replications in the University of Mohaghegh, Ardabili (Agronomy Laboratory). For each treatment, 25 uniform seeds were washed with distilled water, dilute hydrochloric acid and concentrated hydrochloric acid at 2, 4 and 6 h. Samples were sterilized using dilute sodium hypochlorite (2%) for 5 min. The treated and untreated seeds (control) were potted on sterilized Whatman paper in Petri-dishes. At the end of experiment, the percentage of germination, rate of germination, time of germination and T10 were evaluated. The results indicated that percentage of germination, mean time of germination, rate of germination and T10, were affected significantly in all treatments in comparison with untreated seeds as well as the type and time of treatment. Results showed that both the type and time of treatment could improve the rate of germination. Soaking six hours with diluted acid (0.03 N) or with water, improved significantly the mean time of germination, rate of germination and T10 in comparison with untreated seeds. Result also indicated that seed treatment with water or 0.03 N hydrochloric acid for 6 h improved seed germination. Ultimately, the highest and lowest level of germination rate was obtained with soaking seeds in diluted acid (0.03 N) and concentrated acid (0.3 N), respectively. Therefore seed treatment with water could be low cost and more effective and thus could be suggested.   Key words: Sugar beet, germination, HCl, water, pre-treatment.

This research explores how varying the working gas in a plasma system affects reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) concentrations and their subsequent impact on seed germination, vegetative and root growth rates, and germination percentages. A non-thermal plasma system with air, nitrogen, and argon gases was employed, activated by a 10kV high-voltage DC device with a 30W power output. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was utilized to identify the primary active species generated from different gas feeds. The system operated at a flow rate of 2.5 liters per minute for each gas. Barley seeds were immersed in this activated water. A total of 144 seeds were divided into four groups: three groups soaked in plasma-activated distilled water and one control group soaked in non-activated distilled water. After a 24-hour soaking period, the seeds were planted in four germination plates and kept in a room with normal humidity and temperature, being watered every six hours. Over six days, the seeds were monitored for radical length, plumule length and germination percentage. Results showed clear differences between plasma-activated groups and the control group. The plasma treatment led to increases in germination rate, root length, and vegetative length, with air plasma showing the highest effect (germination: 100%, root length: 4.59 cm, vegetative part: 13.24 cm). This study concludes that plasma-activated water significantly affects the germination process and that plant growth responses vary with different gases used for activation, likely due to changes in RONS concentrations.

ناترک (Dodonaea viscosa) درختچه‌ای زینتی، همیشه سبز دایمی و دارای گسترش وسیعی در سرتاسر مناطق گرم دنیا می‌باشد. به منظور بهبود جوانه‌زنی بذر ناترک، اثرات آماده‌سازی (پرایمینگ) و سطوح مختلف شوری بر شاخص‌های جوانه‌زنی بذر این گیاه مورد مطالعه قرار گرفت. در این بررسی دو آزمایش متوالی بصورت طرح کاملا تصادفی با چهار تکرار انجام شد. در آزمایش اول تیمارها شامل هیدروپرایمینگ (تیمار با آب مقطر به عنوان شاهد) و اسموپرایمینگ شامل (نیترات پتاسیم 5/0 و 1 درصد و اسید جیبرلیک 50 و 100 میلی‌گرم در لیتر) و در آزمایش دوم بر اساس بهترین نتایج آزمایش اول (تیمار اسید جیبرلیک 50 میلی گرم در لیتر) تیمار شوری با کلرید سدیم (0، 3، 6، 9 و 12 دسی‌زیمنس بر متر) مورد مطالعه قرار گرفت. نتایج آزمایش اول نشان داد تیمار اسموپرایمینگ اثر معنی‌داری روی درصد جوانه‌زنی، طول ریشه‌چه و ساقه‌چه و وزن تر ریشه‌چه داشت. اسید جیبرلیک50 میلی‌گرم در لیتر نسبت به بقیه تیمارها موثرتر بود. حداکثر درصد جوانه زنی (68 درصد)، طول ریشه‌چه (25/41 میلی‌متر) و ساقه‌چه (50/71 میلیمتر) و وزن تر ریشه‌چه (12/0 گرم) تحت تاثیر جیبرلیک اسید 50 میلی‌گرم در لیتر بدست آمد. نیترات پتاسیم 1 درصد کمترین تاثیر را بر درصد جوانه‌زنی (50 درصد)، طول ریشه‌چه (75/21 میلی‌متر) و وزن تر ریشه‌چه (06/0) گرم داشت. در آزمایش دوم اسید جیبرلیک 50 میلی‌گرم در لیتر در سطح احتمال 1 درصد بر تمام شاخص‌های جوانه‌زنی اثر معنی‌دار مثبت داشت و در سطح شوری 3 و 12 دسی‌زیمنس بر متر به ترتیب بیشترین و کمترین تاثیر را داشت. بطور کلی اسید جیبرلیک 50 میلی‌گرم در لیتر در سطح شوری 3 دسی‌زیمنس بر متر برای تکثیر ناترک با بذر نتایج بهتری را نشان داد.

Hard bark seeds are one of the causes of long seed dormancy. The solution of salacca seed dormancy is done by soaking the seeds using gibberellin. The aim of this research to examine the effect of different concentration and soaking time of gibberellin on seed viability and growth of salak seedling. The research was conducted on May – July 2019 in Green House of Food Plant and Horticultural Protection Center, Central Java. The study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) 4 x 4 with 3 replications, each replications using 5 seeds. The first factor was concentration of gibberellin (G0: 0 ppm, G1: 20 ppm, G2: 40 ppm, G3: 60 ppm). The second factor was soaking time of gibberellin (S0: 10 minutes, S1: 25 minutes, S2: 40 minutes, S3: 55 minutes). Data were analyzed by variance and proceeded with Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at level 5% and orthogonal polynomial test. The observed variables were percentage of germination, maximum growth potential, seedling height, number of leaves, and root length. The results showed that the highest of percentage germination, maximum growth potential, and seedling height were observed in the 60 ppm of gibberellin concentration. The highest of percentage germination, maximum growth potential, and seedling height were researched in the soaking time 55 minutes. The highest root length was observed in the treatment of 60 ppm of GA3 and soaking time 55 minutes.