Smoke‐Water and a Smoke‐Isolated Butenolide Improve Germination and Seedling Vigour of Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter under High Temperature and Low Osmotic Potential

Abstract

AbstractThe seeds of Eragrostis tef are often exposed to high temperatures and low water availability during unfavourable climatic conditions. This affects germination and seedling stand establishment of the crop. Smoke is currently widely studied for its stimulatory role in seed germination. The effect of smoke‐water and a smoke‐isolated butenolide was investigated on E. tef seed germination and seedling growth at different temperatures, light conditions and osmotic potentials. Treating E. tef seeds with smoke‐water and butenolide increased the percentage germination relative to the control at all tested temperatures. These treatments significantly improved seedling length and the vigour index at 25, 30, 35 and 40 and 30/15 °C. Smoke‐water and butenolide increased percentage imbibition from high to low osmotic potential. In comparison with the control, smoke‐water‐ and butenolide‐treated seeds of E. tef showed higher percentage germination with decreasing osmotic potential. Smoke‐water treatment exhibited significantly longer and more vigorous seedlings than the control between 0 and −0.30 MPa osmotic potential. The findings of this study suggest the possibility of using smoke treatments for minimizing E. tef seedling losses at elevated temperatures and water stress.