The Quality and Germination Rate of Seeds Obtained From Garden Cress Grown Under Water Stress

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the sustainability of seeds obtained from plants subjected to water stress. For this reason, seed quality and germination rates were determined in the seeds obtained from the garden cress plant (Lepidium sativum L.) grown under water stress in both laboratory and greenhouse conditions. In the study, apart from the seeds obtained from the 100% irrigated control plants, seeds from the garden cress irrigated with 50% and 25% water were used. The 1000-grain weight of the garden cress seeds, an indicator of seed quality, varied between 1.975-2.227 g in greenhouse conditions and between 2.121-2.248 g in laboratory conditions, where the changes in both conditions were statistically significant. The germination rates of the garden cress seeds grown under different water stress levels were found to be between 97-99% in greenhouse conditions. It was determined that in laboratory conditions all test subjects had a 100% germination rate. As a result, it was concluded that the seeds obtained from the garden cress plant, which was exposed to water stress during their growing period, continued their vitality despite water stress.