Germination Potential Research Articles

Enhancing maize seed resistance to chilling stress through seed germination and surface morphological changes using high voltage electrostatic field

The effect of high-voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) on maize seeds’ resistance to chilling injury remains unclear. This study investigates the chemical and spatial changes induced by HVEF at macroscopic and microscopic levels via the combination of physiological assessments and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Maize samples were categorized into low and normal-temperature groups. At an HVEF strength of 1.6 kV/cm, all indices in the low-temperature group significantly improved relative to the control (P < 0.01), with germination potential, rate, index, and vigor index increasing by 11.7%, 11.2%, 10.5%, and 31.7%, respectively. Root length, shoot length, and dry weight of maize seedlings rose by 20.3%, 19.2%, and 16.6%. Further analysis revealed a 62.7% increase in soluble sugar content in HVEF-treated seeds and the lowest leaching solution conductivity of 1.6 kV/cm. These results demonstrate that HVEF treatment enhances soluble sugar accumulation during seed germination, regulating osmotic balance within the cells. Furthermore, SEM assessed maize microtissue morphology after chilling injury and HVEF treatment. Optimal HVEF treatment resulted in cell wall expansion, enhanced fiber elasticity, reduced interstitial spaces, and swollen cells, indicating improved hydrophilicity and protease activity. This study offers valuable insights into the mechanisms by which HVEF improves seed performance under low-temperature stress.

Онтогенез та індивідуально-групові параметри Cirsium erisithales (Jacq.) Scop. (Asteraceae) в Українських Карпатах

The article deals with ontogeny and individual and group parameters of an infrequent mountain species Cirsium erisithales (Jacq.) Scop. in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Isolated populations of C. erisithales in a wide high altitudinal range of 1040–1730 m a.s.l. were studied. Four periods and 8 age stages are defined in the ontogeny of this species. Characteristics of different age states are established. The total life span of C. erisithales is long. Unfavourable conditions cause shortening of ontogeny due to reduction or skipping of some periods. Population recruitment is performed by seed reproduction. The species has high parameters of seed reproduction, particularly germination rate and potential seed productivity. Thin-tussock or barren loci are most favourable for the establishment and successful development of seedlings. It is one of the few species, which can inhabit the schist screes. Individual and group parameters of C. erisithales do not significantly depend on the altitude above sea level. It was established that C. erisithales mostly has a low density. It is the highest in the high-mountain population on Mt. Hoverla. The height of generative shoot, width and length of leaf are significantly higher in the population in the place of Babyna Yama. Number of leaves and inflorescences are similar in all of the studied populations. The height of generative shoot is most variable. Percentage of generative group varies within 20–45 %. It was determined that considerable anthropogenic impact (particularly mechanical disturbance of herbaceous vegetation) results in the shrinkage of the area of populations and significant decrease in individual and group parameters, namely height of shoot and width of leaf – by 2, length of leaf – almost by 3, number of leaves – by over 3, real to potential seed productivity ratio – almost by 4, real seed productivity – by 5, number of capitula – almost by 6, harvest of seeds – by 26 times. Factors, which adversely effect the replenishment of C. erisithales are: timber skidding, road laying, recreation, excessive sodding, large land- and rockslides, inflorescense consumption by animals etc.

From Seed to Sod: Investigating the Role of Growing Media in Turf Grass Germination for Premium Sod Quality

Aims: Our study aimed to address the low seed germination potential in turf grasses by using cost-effective growing media. The study was conducted at experimental farm of department of floriculture and landscaping in the year 2021-2022 in two experiments conducted during both the years in February-March. Three different cost-effective growing media; garden soil (T1), mixture of garden soil and leaf manure (2:1) (T2) and mixture of sand and leaf manure (2:1) (T3) were filled in growing trays and then seeds of four cool season turf grasses (perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, creeping bentgrass and creeping red fescue) were sown thinly in respective media. Experiment was conducted in completely randomized block design including 3 replications and daily germination counts were taken till 15 days. Data recorded was analysed using OPSTAT software and critical difference was calculated at 5% level of significance. The study highlights the superiority of 2:1 ratio garden soil and leaf manure for better germination attributes. This medium significantly reduces germination time, enhances seedling attributes, and proves optimal for achieving maximum seedling vigor which can contribute subsequently to uniform sod establishment.

Interspecific Cross-compatibility of Beach Pea (Vigna marina) with Related Vigna Species

Wide hybridization is useful for transferring desirable characters from related species to cultivated ones. The beach pea (Vigna marina) is an unexploited Vigna species having great drought tolerant and salt tolerance capacity. To incorporate these desirable traits into cultivated species, the crosses were made between beach pea and green gram (Vigna radiata) (VBN (Gg) 3) and black gram (VBN 6). No pod set was observed in the above crosses, indicating the presence of cross-incompatibility between these two species. The other crosses and their reciprocals were made between the beach pea with two cowpea genotypes (VBN 1 and IC347367) to investigate their cross compatibility as well as the germination potential of respective F1 hybrid seeds. The hybrids were obtained in both directions, indicating the presence of cross-compatibility between the two species. These results indicated that there is a great opportunity to utilize beach peas in the cowpea genetic improvement programme.

Influence of different priming treatments on germination potential and seedling establishment of four important hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars

Medicinal hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is gaining popularity due to its natural products with potential therapeutic properties, and its cultivation has recently been initiated in developing countries such as Turkey, Iran, India, and Pakistan. The crop is primarily grown using feminized seeds or popular varieties to achieve higher cannabidiol (CBD) yields, with seeds costing approximately $5–10 each. However, limited knowledge exists on hemp seed germination under different seed priming techniques and variations in seedling growth parameters such as root and shoot lengths, as well as the influence of in vitro germination and growth in soil and cocopeat media. This study hypothesizes that various seed priming methods could significantly enhance hemp seed germination and different growth media may distinctly impact seedling growth of the tested cultivars. To test this, the study evaluated four cultivars/chemovars (viz., Fedora-17, Finola, CBD Pink Kush, and a local variety, Gulistan) under five seed priming treatments: indole butyric acid (IBA), moringa leaf extract, KNO3, hydro-priming, and a control (no priming). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used, and experimental data (in triplicate) were analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a time-to-event approach. The findings revealed that IBA significantly (p < 0.05) improved seed germination rates, with CBD Pink Kush achieving the highest germination response (83%) among the tested cultivars. Furthermore, cocopeat demonstrated superior performance as a seedling growth medium across all cultivars, indicating its potential for hemp cultivation practices. This pioneering study provides a baseline for understanding hemp seed germination and seedling growth under different priming and growth media conditions, offering valuable insights for future research aimed at industrial and medicinal hemp production.

Influence of selective conditions in vitro on variability of created flax forms

Fiber flax is a strategic crop. Flax products are widely used in various sectors of the economy, including the production of fabrics, paints, medical cotton wool, gunpowder, etc. The occurrence of diseases on flax crops entails a decrease in crop yield. The quality of flax fiber obtained from the affected flax plant deteriorates, and infected seeds reduce germination and biological potential. The most harmful diseases of fiber flax at present are fusarium wilt, rust, anthracnose, pasmo, and bacteriosis. The goal of the research conducted in 2021–2023 on the basis of the laboratory of breeding and biotechnology of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Federal Scientific Center for Bast Crops” (Tver Region) was to create new flax genotypes resistant to anthracnose (Colletotrichum lini) using biotechnological methods. As a result of research, new forms, more resistant to the pathogen, were created in vitro from flax genotypes susceptible to anthracnose. It was revealed that on a selective background, plants with varying degrees of resistance were formed on the basis of immature embryos. Both resistant and moderately susceptible forms were noted susceptible forms formed on the basis of the same genotype. It was noted that the majority of regenerants obtained during in vitro selection from genotypes susceptible to anthracnose, under the newly created selective conditions, were characterized by resistance and average susceptibility to the cultural filtrate. It has been suggested that the formation of regenerated plants, different from the original forms, against a selective background in the culture of immature fiber flax embryos, is caused by the occurrence of a spontaneous mutation process, which, apparently, does not always depend on the creation of selective conditions. The studies revealed differences in the used strains of the anthracnose pathogen according to morphological characteristics. It was established that the intensity of sporulation and growth of the strains used did not depend on their virulence.

Genetic Mapping for Seed Aging Tolerance Under Multiple Environments in Sweet Corn

Seed vigor significantly impacts seed production and storage. Enhancing seed vigor is a pivotal goal in sweet corn breeding, as improved seed sowing quality is crucial for agricultural development, aiding in better resilience against storage adversities and facilitating long-term germplasm preservation. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, including 158 families, was derived from the aging-tolerant line K62 and the aging-sensitive line K107. Utilizing SNP arrays, genotypes were identified, and a genetic linkage map was constructed. Composite interval mapping was employed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with five seed vigor traits, namely the seedling fresh weight (SFW), germination potential (GP), germination rate (GR), germination index (GI), and vigor index (VI), at three days after artificial aging treatment. Upon analysis, a total of 42 QTLs affecting seed vigor indices were identified over two years. Of these, six were linked to SFW, while the GP, GR, GI, and VI each comprised nine QTLs. Nine QTL clusters were identified, with significant contributions (&gt;10%) from Loci02.1, Loci05.2, Loci06.1, and Loci10.1, ranging from 9.50% to 24.20%, 8.89% to 11.54%, 9.16% to 15.55%, and 7.54% to 17.77%, respectively. Candidate genes were explored within QTL cluster regions based on the aging-induced transcriptomic sequencing data of K62 and K107. Through Gene Ontology enrichment, gene annotation, and expression profiling clustering analyses, 12 positive candidate genes linked to seed aging tolerance were identified. This study provides a foundational understanding of the genetic mechanisms of seed aging tolerance and the innovation of an elite germplasm for seed aging tolerance in sweet corn.

Seed Dormancy and Germination Potential of Coastal Rice Landraces in Bangladesh: Implications for Climate-Resilient Cultivation

The coastal regions of Bangladesh host a rich diversity of Aman rice landraces, which are crucial for local agriculture but are highly vulnerable to natural disasters like cyclones and floods. Specifically, local landraces often experience flooding during grain filling and maturation stages, and sprouts in the field lead to a severe loss of yield. Seed dormancy, which delays germination, is a key trait for escaping sprouting in the field during harvesting. However, there is lack of information on genetic variability in the existing rice landraces grown in the coastal area of Bangladesh. This study evaluated the seed dormancy of 28 local Aman rice landraces, plus four varieties from the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. Germination tests were conducted under controlled conditions, and an electrical conductivity (EC) test was used to assess seed vigor. The results showed that Bari Mota, Tulsimala, Chinigura, Dishari, and Birindi exhibited the highest dormancy rates, i.e., 100%, 100%, 99%, 99%, and 99%, respectively, while BINA Dhan 10, Nona Bokra, and BINA Dhan 8 had the lowest dormancy rates, with values of 11%, 16%, and 24%, respectively. Priming treatments enhanced germination rates in some varieties; however, others, such as Bari Mota and Tulsimala, remained dormant, underscoring the variability in seed dormancy levels. Compared to non-priming, a significant improvement of germination was recorded in BRRI dhan 41 (85.3% vs. 9%), Motha mota (84% vs. 8%), Lal chikon (74.6% vs. 1%), Sadamota (74.6% vs. 5%), and Bashful (53.3% vs. 3%). Altogether, our results suggest that local landraces are diverse in seed dormancy, and genotypes with high dormancy, such as Bari Mota and Tulsimala, can potentially be grown in the disaster-prone coastal areas. In contrast, these genotypes can be used for future breeding programs. Therefore, this study carries significant implications for rice cultivation in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Effect of Polyethylene glycol, temperature, and stratification in thirty plant species: Implications for conservation and management

Seed ecology is a fundamental view of a population's regenerative potential and under climate change needs investigation for proper management and conservation of plant populations. In the Mediterranean basin extreme rainfall variability is expected to prevail during the next decades. The aim of the study is to investigate the germination potential of thirty plant species by placing their seeds under gradients of water potentials with the use of polyethylene glycol, a polymer used to mimic water stress in seeds to assess their adaptive potential. We applied three different osmotic potentials (-0.03 MPa , -0.50 MPa, -1.56 MPa) using PEG6000 in seeds from thirty different plant species. Prior PEG treatment seeds grouped to non-stratified and stratified ones at +2°C for 1 month. Seeds were then germinated under either constant +21°C or alternate +25°C/+15°C temperature with 12-hours photoperiod. Germination was affected by PEG level, stratification and temperature which acted either independently or in combination, and the response to those factors was species specific. Most species that PEG had affected their germination, responded positively in water stress at -0.5 MPa and some of them further increased their seed germination under -1.56 MPa. However, in species where PEG had no effect, their germination response was driven by the other two factors either independently or in combination. Finally, there were also species that presented low germination, unaffected by the studied factors. The present study demonstrates the ability of several Mediterranean species to germinate under various levels of water stress and can be applied to species management and conservation strategies.

Regulation of Exogenous Strigolactone on Storage Substance Metabolism and Endogenous Hormone Levels in the Early Germination Stage of Rice Seeds Under Salt Stress.

Salt stress inhibits rice seed germination. Strigolactone (GR24) plays a vital role in enhancing plant tolerance against salt stress. However, GR24's impact on the metabolism of stored substances and endogenous hormones remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of exogenous GR24 on the metabolism of stored substances and endogenous hormones during the early stages of rice seed germination under salt stress. The results showed that salt stress significantly reduced the germination rate, germination potential, germination index, radicle length, germ length, and fresh and dry weights of the radicle and germ under salt stress. Pre-treatment (1.2 μmol L-1 GR24) significantly reduced the inhibition of salt stress on rice seed germination and seedling growth. GR24 promoted the decomposition of starch by enhancing the activities of α-amylase, β-amylase, and total amylase and improved the levels of soluble sugars and proteins and the conversion rate of substances under salt stress. GR24 effectively enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX); increased ascorbic acid (ASA) and glutathione (GSH) levels; and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content. This reduced the oxidative damage of salt stress. Furthermore, GR24 significantly increased the contents of strigolactones (SLs), auxin (IAA), gibberellin (GA3), cytokinin (CTK) as well as IAA/ABA, CTK/ABA, GA/ABA, and SL/ABA ratios and reduced abscisic acid (ABA) levels. The current findings indicate that GR24 effectively mitigates the adverse impact salt stress by regulating antioxidant enzyme activity and endogenous hormone balance.

OsWRKY49 on qAT5 positively regulates alkalinity tolerance at the germination stage in Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica.

Integrated genome-wide association study and linkage mapping revealed genetic basis of alkalinity tolerance during rice germination. The key gene OsWRKY49 was further verified in transgenic plants. With the widespread use of the rice direct seeding cultivation model, improving the tolerance of rice varieties to salinity-alkalinity at the germination stage has become increasingly important. However, as previous studies have concentrated on neutral salt stress, understanding of alkalinity tolerance is still in its infancy, and the genetic resource data is scarce. Here, we used a natural population composed of 295 japonica rice varieties and a recombinant inbred population including 189 lines derived from Caidao (alkali-sensitive) and WD20342 (alkali-tolerant) to uncover the genetic structure of alkalinity tolerance during rice germination. A total of 15 lead SNPs and six QTLs related to relative germination potential (RGP) and relative germination index (RGI) were detected by genome-wide association study and linkage mapping. Of which, Chr5_28094966, a lead SNP was located in the interval of the mapped major QTL qAT5, that was significantly associated with both RGP and RGI in the two populations. According to the LD block analysis and QTL interval, a 425 kb overlapped region was obtained for screening the candidate genes. After haplotype analysis, qRT-PCR and parental sequence analysis, LOC_Os05g49100 (OsWRKY49) was initially considered as the candidate gene. Having studied the characteristics of rice lines with OsWRKY49 knockout and overexpression, we established that OsWRKY49 could be a positive regulator of alkalinity tolerance in rice at the germination stage. Subcellular localization showed that green fluorescent protein-tagged OsWRKY49 was localized in the nucleus. The application of OsWRKY49 could be useful for increasing alkalinity tolerance of rice direct seeding.

Evaluation of seed dormancy-breaking techniques for enhancing germination potential, seedling growth, and vigour of Carissa carandas L.

Carissa carandas L. is a versatile evergreen shrub of the Apocynaceae family and its fruit is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It is commonly propagated by seeds, which are characterized by low germination rates due to the presence of a hard seed coat that causes physical dormancy and limits water absorption and gas exchange. In this study, the effects of different dormancy-breaking treatments viz., chemical treatment with potassium nitrate and thiourea at two concentrations (1% and 2%), hormonal therapy with gibberellic acid (GA3) at two concentrations (500 and 1000 ppm) and physical treatments (hot water and simple water immersion) were investigated on germination and seedling growth using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and the statistical significance of each treatment was tested at the five percent probability level (p ? 0.05). Key germination indices, seedling growth parameters, and seedling vigour were observed. Among all treatments, 2% KNO3 was most effective in breaking seed dormancy that achieved significantly higher (86.33%) germination with accelerated completion of germination in 18 days and the highest (4.80) mean daily germination (MDG). Thiourea 2% attained a germination percentage of 82.91% and MDG of 4.36 while GA3 treated seeds had a lower germination percentage and MDG than KNO3 and thiourea treatments. The significantly highest seedling length vigour index (LVI) of 1085.1 and weight vigour index (WVI) of 12.67 were also obtained in 2% KNO3 treated seeds which was followed by 2% thiourea with LVI of 1003.6 and WVI 10.12 . Both LVI and WVI were significantly lower in GA3 treatments compared to KNO3 and thiourea treatments. The significantly lowest germination percentage (61.19%), MDG (2.78), LVI (575.8), and WVI (3.67) were recorded in the control. This study offers valuable insights into the efficient techniques for seed dormancy breaking and optimizing seed propagation techniques for C. carandas L.

Effects of karst environmental stresses on seed germination and seedling growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plays an important role in the development of animal husbandry in the karst region of southwestern China, and karst environmental stress has a significant impact on the germination of alfalfa seeds. This study subjected alfalfa seeds to calcium salt stress (0–100 mM), drought stress (0–0.53 MPa), and pH stress (pH 3–9). Germination indicators (germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index), seedling morphological indicators (shoot length and root length), and biomass indicators were measured to assess seed stress resistance. The results showed that mild drought stress (5% PEG solution) and weak alkaline stress (pH 8) promoted seed germination, and a 20 mM CaCl2 solution significantly increased the germination rate. The root system of seedlings was more sensitive to the three types of stress. Under moderate calcium stress (40 mM), only a slight decrease in tissue water content was observed. Under moderate drought stress (10% PEG), fresh weight and tissue water content decreased, but dry weight significantly increased. Under alkaline stress (pH 9), both biomass indicators and tissue water content increased. This study provides a theoretical reference for selecting plants suitable for cultivation in karst environments.

Effects of Platycodon grandiflorum seeds exposure to static magnetic field on germination and early seedling growth.

Effects of non-uniform upward (north) and downward (south) 300 mT static magnetic field (SMF) 14 days (24 h/day) treatment of Platycodon grandiflorum seeds on germination, seedling growth, enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and seedling chlorophyll content were investigated under laboratory conditions. Germination rate, index and potential from magnetically exposed Anhui and Hebei Platycodon grandiflorum seeds were significantly not affected (p > 0.05), however, the values of these germination variables were notably higher in Anhui Platycodon grandiflorum seeds than Hebei seeds. Treatment of Hebei Platycodon grandiflorum seeds with 300 mT SMFs increased (p < 0.05) the catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), α-and β-amylase activities and chlorophyll content significantly, the root length and MDA level of Anhui seeds were reduced, while the MDA level was had no obviously affect. The results suggest that non-uniform upward 300 mT SMF had potential to active the antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and hydrolytic enzymes (α-and β-amylase activities) and increase the chlorophyll content of Platycodon grandiflorus seeds under laboratory conditions.

Improvement of germination, sprout weight and nutraceutical potential of mung bean (Vigna radiata) sprouts by melatonin, as an elicitor

Using elicitors is one of the innovative techniques being currently applied for improving phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and bioactive compounds in ready-to-eat sprouts. Therefore, this experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of melatonin (MT), as an elicitor, on mung bean germination and its sprout’s yield and nutraceutical quality for a 5-day period during seed germination. Results showed that the processes involved on the 5 th day of germination led to an increase in total soluble protein (TSP), free amino acids (FAA), vitamin C, and antioxidant activity in the treated mung bean sprouts. In contrast, as time goes by, the rate of titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoid compounds, and reducing power decreased. Moreover, MT increased the percentage of seed germination (18.84%) and sprout weight (25%), as compared to the controls. Eliciting the seed of mung bean with MT resulted in enhancing total soluble solids (TSS), TSP, FAA, and reducing power. In the sprouts of mung beans, similarly, it increased the TPC, flavonoid compounds, vitamin C, and antioxidant potential. In conclusion, using MT could change the phytochemical profiles of ready-to-eat sprouts and improve the health-promoting potential of produced sprouts during germination.

Effects of Different Microplastics on Wheat's (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth Characteristics and Rhizosphere Soil Environment.

In order to reveal the effects of microplastics (MPs) on the growth and rhizosphere soil environmental effects of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), three microplastic types (polypropylene MPs (PP-MPs), high-density polyethylene MPs (HDPE-MPs), and polylactic acid MPs (PLA-MPs)), particle sizes (150, 1000, and 4000 μm), and concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1 g·kg-1) were selected for a pot experiment under natural environment conditions. The differences in germination rate (GR), germination inhibition rate (GIR), growth characteristics, physicochemical properties, and enzymatic activities of wheat in rhizosphere soil were analyzed using statistical analysis and variance analysis. The results show that the germination rate of wheat seeds decreased under different MPs, and the HDPE-MPs, medium particle size (1000 μm), and medium concentration (0.5 g·kg-1) had the greatest inhibitory effect on wheat seed germination. The effects of MPs on wheat seed growth characteristics were inconsistent; the germination potential (GP), germination index (GI), and vitality index (VI) showed a significant decreasing trend under the PLA-MPs and medium-concentration (0.5 g·kg-1) treatment, while the mean germination time (MGT) showed a significant increasing trend; the GP and MGT showed a significant decreasing and increasing trend under the high-particle-size (4000 μm) treatment, respectively, while the GI and VI showed a significant decreasing trend under the medium-particle-size (1000 μm) treatment. The growth characteristics of wheat plants showed a significant decreasing trend under different MPs, with the SPAD, nitrogen concentration of the leaves, and plant height decreasing the most under PLA-MP treatment, the SPAD and nitrogen concentration of leaves decreasing the most under low-particle-size (150 μm) and low-concentration (0.1 g·kg-1) treatments, and the decreases in plant height under the high-particle-size (4000 μm) and high-concentration (1 g·kg-1) treatments being the largest. There were significant increasing trends for ammonium nitrogen (NH4+), total phosphorus (TP), soil urease (S-UE), soil acid phosphatase (S-ACP), and soil sucrase (S-SC) under different microplastics, while the PLA-MPs had a significant increasing trend for nitrate nitrogen (NO3-) and a significant decreasing trend for pH; there was a significant decreasing trend for total nitrogen (TN) under the HDPE-MPs and PLA-MPs, and for each particle size and concentration, the PLA-MPs and low-concentration (0.1 g·kg-1) treatments showed a significant decreasing trend for soil catalase (S-CAT). The research results could provide certain data and theoretical bases for evaluating the effects of MPs on crop growth and soil ecological environments.

Physiological quality of cowpea seeds after application of chitosan-based bioproduct

The use of biological methods in the agricultural field has instigated studies in the development of products based on biopolymers. Chitosan is a biopolymer and important alternative to the agrochemicals used in large cultures, presenting favorable characteristics to the development of the plants, to the environmental issues, and to the agricultural sector economy. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of a chitosan-based bioproduct in the germination and vigor of cowpea seeds. A completely randomized design was adopted with four replications of 50 seeds, with the exception of the mass and length tests, carried out in five replications of 20 seeds. The chitosan-based product was tested in the concentrations of 0.0 (witness); 0.5; 1; 2.5; 5; and 10% and physiological quality parameters, emergency, vigor, leaf pigments contents and electrolyte extravasation were evaluated. The results indicated that the treatments coated with the bioproduct significantly increased the length of the seedling, shoots and radicle, shoot and seedling fresh masses, and seedlings dry mass emerged in a bed. We concluded that the application of the bioproduct, at FTSeed concentrations at 3 and 3.25%, as a coating in cowpea seeds induced the seedlings growth, acting as a biostimulant. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed a correlation between biochemical tests and germination potential in the field, with emphasis on the 5% treatment.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Flavonoid-Mediated Regulation of Seed Antioxidant Properties in Peanut Seed Vigor.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an oilseed crop grown worldwide. Flavonoids have profound benefits for plant growth and development because of their powerful antioxidant properties. Seed vigor is an important indicator of seed quality. However, how flavonoids impact seed vigor formation in large-seed peanuts is still poorly understood. Here, we profiled flavonoids, phytohormones, and transcriptomes of developing seeds of large-seed peanut varieties with low (ZP06) and high (H8107) seed vigor. A total of 165 flavonoids were identified, 51 of which were differentially accumulated in ZP06 and H8107. Lower levels of dihydromyricetin (0.28 times) and hesperetin-7-O-glucoside (0.26 times) were observed in ZP06 seeds than in H8107. All flavonoid biosynthesis structural genes were down-regulated in ZP06. The different hormone levels found in ZP06 and H8107 seeds could be associated with the expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes via MYB and bHLH transcription factors. Dihydromyricetin could relate to ZP06's poor seed vigor by impacting its seed antioxidant properties. Thus, the presence of flavonoids in large-seed peanuts could contribute to their physiological quality and germination potential through controlling the accumulation of reactive oxygen species to improve seed antioxidant properties.

TESTE DE GERMINAÇÃO DO MILHO EM DIFERENTES MEIOS DE CULTIVO

The corn (Zea mays L.) crop is considered one of the oldest and most important in the world. Among the substrates used to test the germination of corn crops, paper rolls and sand are officially recommended for use and analysis. However, the use of vermiculite can be viable and useful in some scenarios especially for treated seeds. The treatments consisted of 50 seeds in rollers at a temperature of 25°C and three substrates (germitest; germitest + sand; germitest + vermiculite). The total number of seeds per treatment was 150 distributed in three subsamples of 50 seeds. This work aims to evaluate the germination potential of corn seeds in different cultivation media, and thus evaluate the rate and speed of germination in sand, vermiculite, and germ test paper.

Effects of different storage temperatures on the quality and metabolome of maize with high moisture content

Storage temperature and moisture content are important factors affecting the quality of maize storage. This research investigated the impact of varying temperatures on the quality and metabolite composition of high moisture maize during the storage process. Results showed that as the storage temperature rose, the color, luster, germination potential and germination rate of maize decreased obviously, while the conductivity increased significantly. In addition, the best quality of maize samples was obtained when stored at 15 °C for 90 days (fatty acid value = 30.6 mg/100g) compared to storage at 20 °C (fatty acid value = 72.80 mg/100g) and 35 °C (fatty acid value = 116.46 mg/100g). Moreover, metabolomic analysis indicated that low temperature storage maintained the quality of high-moisture maize mainly by regulating tyrosine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and betalain biosynthetic pathways. The mechanism of quality regulation in low temperature storage of high moisture maize was enriched, providing a new insight into the future application of temperature-controlled storage of high moisture maize.