Is the enhancement produced by priming in cottonseeds maintained during storage?

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate: a) whether the effects of hydropriming and osmopriming in manitol on cottonseed germination are maintained during their storage; b) whether the behavior of the treated seeds -in storage- depends on the type of priming substrate used; c) whether seeds from different harvest years [age] have a similar response. The effects of 16 h of hydropriming and 41 h in mannitol were tested at 18 and 25 ºC on the velocity of germination, standard germination and the vigor in cottonseeds from the 2007 and 2008 harvests, and within 0, 6 and 12 months of postpriming storage. The enhancement produced by the priming treatments used remained at least for 6 months in the case of hydropriming and 12 months for osmopriming in mannitol. The latter was more effective in increasing velocity of germination and the vigor index (CWVI). Priming enhanced the behavior in both seed lots but was more effective on the younger seeds.