Performance of Bell Pepper Seeds in Response to Drum Priming with Addition of 24-Epibrassinolide

Abstract

Drum priming systems are among the most common methods of seed priming for commercial treatment. The supply of water to the seeds is controlled by physical means, and seeds are able to reach a desired moisture content without the use of osmotic solutions for hydration control. The brassinosteroid (BR), 24-epibrassinolide (24-EpiBL), has been shown previously to have a significant effect on seed performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the feasibility of drum priming associated with added 24-EpiBL on enhancement of bell pepper seed performance. Two bell pepper cultivars (AF-6 and AF-7) were tested, and each cultivar represented, respectively, by three and four seed lots with different initial physiological potentials. Seed performance was determined by evaluating standard germination, initial seedling growth, and changes on the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS®) was used to assess the initial seedling growth. The nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique was used to evaluate possible changes in the enzymatic antioxidant system. Several advantages were verified in the drum priming technique with added 24-EpiBL compared with the traditional procedure (water alone). Germination time was reduced followed by a seedling growth increase. Concomitantly, seed enzymatic activity was improved. However, results showed different response for each enzyme. Drum priming with 24-EpiBL demonstrates viability for commercial treatment and enhancement of bell pepper seeds.