The effect of boron foliar on the germination and vigor of the resultant seed of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants

Abstract

Laboratory study was carried out on sunflower seed products resulting from the sunflower plants foliar by different concentrations of boron (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250) ppm at flowering stage in spring and autumn seasons in 2009 at the laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture - the Authority for public inspection and certification seeds –Karbala branch to study the effect of post-boron foliar on the germination of seeds, radical length, plumule length and dry weight of seedling. An analysis of variance according to complete randomized design with four replicates were used. Simple correlation between the attributes were examined. a regression analysis was performed, and prediction equation of the attributes was studied. The results showed that seeds from plants sprayed with boron concentration of 150 ppm was superior in all characters, the first count, final count, radical length, plumule length, dry weight of seedling and cold test for both seasons (82.25% and 92.00% and 122.75 mm and 89.00 mm and 61.00 mg and 88.00 %) respectively, in the spring season, and (76.25% and 80.00% and 118.75 mm and 100.50 mm and 68.00 mg and 72.00%) respectively in the autumnal season. Results showed significant positive correlation between most of the studied traits. Regression analysis showed the possibility of calculating the expected equation of equivalent boron which is significant in the proportion of normal seedling in standard germination test and plumule length in spring season, and the proportion of normal seedling in standard germination test, radical length and a proportion of normal seedling in cold test in autumn season.