Higher Germination Rate Research Articles

Preliminary assessment of seed heteromorfism as an adaptive strategy of Colobanthus quitensis under saline conditions

Colobanthus quitensis is known for enduring extreme conditions, such as high salinity in Antarctica, making it an excellent model for studying environmental stress. In plant families, variations in seed color heteromorphism have been linked to various germination under stress conditions. Preliminary laboratory observations indicated that dark brown seeds of C. quitensis had higher germination rates, suggesting that this phenotypic trait might offer a germination advantage, particularly under saline conditions. To investigate this, germination of heteromorphic seeds from Antarctic, sub-Antarctic, and Andean populations of C. quitensis was assessed under in vitro saline conditions. Among all populations, dark brown seeds exhibited greater germination and shorter germination time than other seeds in the absence of salinity. In the Antarctic population, dark brown seeds showed better salinity tolerance. In the sub-Antarctic La Marisma population, salt tolerance was not affect by seed color, showing the population was the most salt-tolerant. The other two populations showed very low germination even at low salinity concentration. This study is the first scientific report of seed heteromorphism in C. quitensis populations, offering insights into mechanisms of salinity tolerance and potentially other stress conditions that enhance the species’ resilience. In addition, the identification of La Marisma populations as a salinity-tolerant population will holds biotechnological importance for agriculture.

Overexpression of rice High-affinity Potassium Transporter gene OsHKT1;5 improves salinity and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Rice is subjected to various environmental stresses, resulting in significant production losses. Abiotic stresses, particularly drought and salinity, are the leading causes of plant damage worldwide. The High-affinity Potassium Transporter (HKT) gene family plays an important role in enhancing crop stress tolerance by regulating physiological and enzymatic functions. This study investigates the effect of overexpressing the rice HKT1;5 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana on its tolerance to salinity and drought. The OsHKT1;5 gene was introduced into Arabidopsis under the control of 35S promoter of CaMV via floral dip transformation method. PCR confirmed the integration of the transgene into the Arabidopsis genome, while qPCR analysis showed its expression. Three transgenic lines of OsHKT1;5 were used for stress treatment and phenotypic studies. The overexpressed lines showed considerably higher germination rates, increased leaf counts, greater fresh and dry weights of the roots and shoots, higher chlorophyll contents, longer root lengths, and reduced Na+ levels together with increased K+ ions levels after salt and drought treatments, in comparison to wild-type plants. Furthermore, overexpressed lines exhibited higher antioxidant levels than wild-type plants under salinity and drought conditions. In addition, transgenic lines showed higher expression levels of the OsHKT1;5 gene in both roots and shoots compared to wild-type plants. In conclusion, this study revealed OsHKT1;5 as a promising candidate for enhancing tolerance to salinity and drought stresses in rice, marking a significant step toward developing a new rice variety with improved abiotic stress tolerance.

Fish Waste Compost - A Fertilizer for Organic Agriculture

Fish markets produce a large amount of fish waste such as fish head, gut, intestine, fines, bones and scales that are generally dumped in the river or land-filling areas causing great intuitive pollution to the environment. Such impulsively growing contamination can be mitigated and checked though waste management in the form of organic composting. This study investigates the potential of fish waste compost as a sustainable organic fertilizer by converting fish waste, including gut, head, skin, bones, and fins, into compost using sawdust, banana and jaggery as supplementary materials. The matured compost was then analyzed for nutrient content and maturity through physical, sensory, biological, and chemical tests. Results showed that the compost, reduced to 70% of its original volume, had significant nutrient content with a C:N ratio of 28.6:1, a pH of 6.80, and an electrical conductivity of 1.45 dS/m. Biological tests demonstrated high germination rates, indicating non-phytotoxicity. Fish waste containing 10.56, 2.12, 0.82 and 0.10 percents of C, N, P and K respectively can be converted into an effective organic fertilizer which can enhance soil fertility. This approach not only addresses waste management but also offers a viable solution for recycling fish waste into valuable agricultural resources.

Preparation of nutrient hydrogels with core-shell structure for seed germination and seedling growth in high temperature saline environment.

Drought and soil degradation are the key factors in desertification control. How to improve the utilization efficiency of water and fertilizer has always been the focus of research in desert areas. The conventional hydrogel-loaded fertilizer is not suitable because of the high salinity and large temperature difference in sandy land. Therefore we prepared a novel temperature/pH-responsive core-shell structured hydrogel and loaded urea in three ways: in situ polymerization, encapsulation, and immersion, and germination and seedling growth experiments on Artemisia absinthium and Cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino) seeds. The results showed that the immersion hydrogel SAP4 (PCP-g-PAA/P(DMAEMA-co-AMPS))/urea had the best repetitive swelling performance, achieving 163.89% of the original water absorption performance after 16 repetitions and the highest nitrogen release of 151.37mg at 40days. For A. desertorum, the treatment group applying the in situ composite hydrogel SAP2 (PCP-g-PAA/P(DMAEMA-co-AMPS)/urea) had the highest germination rate of 70%; for B. campestris, the treatment groups applying SAP2, the encapsulated hydrogel SAP3 (PCP-g-PAA/urea/P(DMAEMA-co-AMPS)) and SAP4 hydrogels had higher germination rates, with SAP3 having a 100% germination rate. This phenomenon suggests that the three urea-loaded temperature/pH-responsive core-shell structured hydrogels we have prepared are very promising as an aid to seed germination and seedling growth in high temperature saline environment.

Seed biopriming with Parachlorella, Bacillus subtilis, and Trichoderma harzianum alleviates the effects of salinity in soybean

BackgroundSeed conditioning with bioinputs (biopriming) offers a promising and sustainable alternative to mitigate the adverse effects of salt stress on soybeans. This study aims to evaluate the potential of isolated or combined biopriming using microalgae and different microorganisms in alleviating salinity-induced stress in soybeans in early-stage.MethodsSeeds were subjected to five biopriming treatments: Parachlorella sp. microalgae culture, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma harzianum, Parachlorella sp. + B. subtilis, and Parachlorella sp. + T. harzianum, along with a control group without biopriming. Subsequently, the seeds were exposed to two conditions: (i) control (0.0 MPa), and (ii) salinity induced by NaCl (-0.8 MPa). Germination, photochemical indicators, and seedling performance were assessed.ResultsSalinity impaired root protrusion and seed physiology, resulting in a high percentage of abnormal seedlings, thus creating a stressful condition. However, biopriming alleviated the negative effects of salinity, particularly with T. harzianum, Parachlorella sp. + B. subtilis, and Parachlorella sp. + T. harzianum, which led to high germination rates and normal seedlings. All biopriming treatments, especially the combined ones, reduced the suppression of non-photochemical quenching, thereby enhancing the maximum yield of photosystem II. Seedlings under salt stress without biopriming exhibited short lengths and low fresh and dry mass, whereas those bioprimed with Parachlorella sp. + B. subtilis and Parachlorella sp. + T. harzianum showed significantly higher values.ConclusionSeed biopriming, especially with Parachlorella sp. microalgae culture combined with B. subtilis or T. harzianum, effectively alleviates the stressful effects of salinity on germination and early-stage growth seedling of soybeans.

Phytogenic Silver Nanoparticles from Callicarpa macrophylla and their Biological Activities

In the present investigation, the phytogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out with Callicarpa macrophylla which possess multiple functional properties. The absorbance peak of the resultant AgNPs was found to be between 300 and 800 nm, with the highest absorbance at 436 nm. The phytocomponents accountable for facilitating the synthesis were determined through the utilization of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, which unveiled the presence of hydroxyl, amide, aldehyde, and alkene moieties. The crystal structure of the AgNPs was investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, which exhibited diffraction intensities at the 2-theta angle, signifying the presence of a well-defined crystalline structure of AgNPs. The polydispersity of the AgNPs was observed under a transmission electron microscope (TEM), with an average particle size of 10 to 60 nm. The AgNPs exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus. The sprouting percentage of Pisum sativum, Vigna radiata, and Macrotyloma uniflorum seeds was assessed with notable observation of increase in length of root size was maximum at AgNPs concentrations of 5 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL for Pisum sativum and Vigna radiata, respectively. However, in the case of Macrotyloma uniflorum, the highest germination rate was observed at a concentration of 10 mg/mL. Similarly, shoot length was highest in all seeds at 10 mg/mL. Furthermore, the AgNPs showed significant dye degradation capabilities, with the highest degradation rate for safranin (58%), followed by methylene blue (35%), and the least degradation observed with crystal violet (21%). Overall, the studies confirm the multi applicative properties of AgNPs synthesized from Callicarpa macrophylla.

Effects of Pre-Sowing Treatments on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Attributes of the Endangered (Anisoptera scaphula Roxb.) Species

Anisoptera scaphula (Boilam), one of Bangladesh's tallest native tree species, plays a vital role in the Asian forest ecosystem. It is critically endangered and at high risk of extinction. This research, conducted from April 2022 to February 2023, examined the effects of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination and seedling growth. Seeds collected from a mother tree in Cox’s Bazar were subjected to four treatments: untreated (T0), soaked in water for 12h (T1), soaked and air-dried for 12h (T2), and soaked and air-dried for 24h (T3). Results showed T2 had the highest germination rate (84.2%) and fastest germination, while T0 had the lowest (52.3%). Seedlings from T2 also exhibited the greatest height (46.4 cm) and collar diameter (0.76 cm). Around 2000 seedlings are now ready for planting. These findings support large-scale seed production and regeneration efforts to mitigate the extinction risk of A. scaphula and restore its ecological role.

Evaluating the impact of different biochar types on wheat germination.

This study assessed sustainable solutions for organic waste management, focusing on biochar derived from kitchen waste. The characteristics and phytotoxicity effects of biochar produced from four different types of kitchen waste were investigated in view of potential agricultural applications. Analysis of the chemical and physical properties of the different biochar samples by X-ray fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed a nutrient-rich composition with carbon, calcium, and potassium contents that ranged from 35 to 48%, from 1.6 to 24%, and from 1.5 to 28.5%, respectively. In phytotoxicity tests, the highest germination rate (45%) was observed with Coffee residue biochar obtained at 300°C (application rate of 1%) and the longest shoot length (25cm) with orange peel biochar obtained at 300°C (application rate of 1%). Germination rate and shoot length were not significantly different between biochar-exposed soils and control soils (without biochar), indicating no toxic effect due to biochar addition. Washing biochar improved germination rates significantly (control: 98%; potato peel biochar: 92%; banana peel biochar: 83%). The longest shoot length (8.3cm) was obtained with the washed potato peel biochar (pyrolysis temperature = 400°C) extract. These findings suggest that biochar can be safely used as a soil amendment without harming the environment or hindering plant growth. The Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test results further emphasized the influence of different factors, such as pyrolysis temperature and feedstock type, in biochar applications.

Physiological, morphological and chemical changes in pea seeds under different storage conditions

The loss of germination, viability, and vigor of seeds under storage conditions are the main causes of the need to multiply the seed material for leguminous crops. For crop establishment, seeds obtained in propagation fields are usually used, and the coating comes from the basic seed. In the case of leguminous species, the seeds quickly lose their viability, and in accordance with international regulations, for legumes, the number of seeds increases only in the first year of propagation. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the effects of variations in the storage period, temperature and humidity on the morphophysiological and chemical traits of two pea seed varieties (Gloriosa and Kelvedon Wonder). The pea seeds were harvested at the end of June 2017, 2018 and 2019 and stored for 32, 20 and 8 months at T = 4 °C and H = 8%; T = 4 °C and H = 12%; T = 8 °C and H = 8%; T = 8 °C and H = 12%; and T = 22 °C and H = 65%. The results of the morphological, chemical, and biochemical analyses showed that the highest germination rate; hypocotyl length; radicle length; lipid content; dietetic fiber content; caloric value; and Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe and Zn contents were detected in the Gloriosa and KW seeds stored for 8 months at 4 °C and 8% humidity. Analysis of the experimental data by statistical methods revealed that increasing the storage time had an individual significant negative influence only on the germination rate of both pea varieties and on the hypocotyl length and radicle length of the KW variety, while humidity and temperature variation had individual significant influences on the lipid content. The significant effects of humidity and temperature on the germination rate, hypocotyl length and root length of KW plants were also determined. For the remaining morphophysiological and chemical traits of pea seeds, the individual and combined effects of the factors were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the comparison of means using the Tukey test showed that storage conditions related to temperature and humidity generally used by farmers (T = 22 °C × H = 65%) did not significantly affect the majority of the nutritional properties of the pea seeds. However, maintaining pea seeds under these conditions for a longer period of time significantly affects seed germination and vigor.

Cinética de secagem e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de jiló

ABSTRACT The drying process is paramount for maintaining seed quality, where the temperature during this process directly influences germination and vigor, especially for vegetable species harvested with high moisture content. This research aimed to determine and model the drying curves of S. aethiopicum (cultivar Tinguá-verde-claro) seeds at temperatures of 35, 38, 41, and 44 ºC, as well as to evaluate the physiological quality of the seeds after drying. A completely randomized design was used, with four drying temperatures (35, 38, 41, and 44 ºC) and four replicates. Nine mathematical models were fitted using the non-linear regression analysis by the Gauss-Newton method, and the goodness of fit was assessed based on the magnitude of the coefficient of determination (R2), chi-square test (χ2), relative mean error (P), and estimated mean error (SE). Seed quality was evaluated by germination test (G), electrical conductivity (EC), and accelerated aging (AA). The Modified Midilli model best represents the drying curves of S. aethiopicum seeds at the studied temperatures. Seeds with higher germination and vigor, meaning lower electrical conductivity values and higher germination rates after accelerated aging, are achieved through drying at 35 and 38 ºC.

Optimizing beet seed germination via dielectric barrier discharge plasma parameters

This study explores the synergistic effects of gas composition and electric field modulation on beetroot seed germination using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. The investigation initially focuses on the impact of air plasma exposure on germination parameters, varying both voltage and treatment duration. Subsequently, the study examines how different gas compositions (argon, nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide) affect germination outcomes under optimal air plasma conditions. Results indicate that plasma treatment significantly enhances germination rates and seedling growth relative to untreated controls. Notably, plasma exposure alters seed surface morphology and chemistry, increasing roughness, porosity, and hydrophilicity due to the formation of new polar functional groups. The highest germination rate (a 54.84 % increase) and germination index (a 40.11 % increase) were observed at the lowest voltage and shortest duration, whereas higher voltages and prolonged exposure reduced germination, likely due to oxidative stress. Among the tested gas environments, air plasma was most effective in enhancing water uptake and electrical conductivity, while oxygen plasma resulted in the highest germination index and marked improvements in root and shoot length. Conversely, carbon dioxide plasma treatment exhibited inhibitory effects on both germination and subsequent growth metrics. The results highlight the potential of DBD plasma technology to enhance agricultural productivity by optimizing seed germination and early growth. The study emphasizes the importance of precise parameter tuning, particularly gas composition and plasma exposure conditions, to maximize benefits while minimizing adverse effects, offering a refined approach to seed priming in agricultural practices.

Study of the efficacy of five growing media for nursery production of an endangered species, Afzelia africana Smith ex Pers in Côte d'Ivoire

Afzelia africana Smith ex Pers is an endangered plant species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The low level of natural regeneration of this species requires it to be reproduced in a controlled environment in order to reconstitute its population by providing good quality seedlings. As the growing medium is an important factor in the quality of the seedlings, the influence of the substrates soil + wood chip compost, soil + poultry droppings, soil + rice straw compost, soil + cocoa pod husk compost and soil on the germination and growth of Afzelia africana in the nursery was evaluated through a completely randomised design. The soil + wood chips compost performed best, with a high germination rate (76.7%). It enabled the production of taller seedlings (15.6 cm; p = 0.004), with larger collar diameters (4.4 mm; p = 0.001), higher total dry matter (2.25 g.plant-1; p = 0.005) and higher root dry matter (2.25 g.plant-1; p = 0.005). The mixture of three parts soil + one part poultry droppings was toxic for the seedlings, resulting in 60.6% mortality. The use of growing media containing a mixture of soil and wood chips compost is effective for the production of vigorous seedlings. This compost can be recommended for nursery production of Afzelia africana.

Streptomyces fradiae Mitigates the Impact of Potato Virus Y by Inducing Systemic Resistance in Two Egyptian Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cultivars

In this study, the impact of culture media filtrate of QD3 actinobacterial isolate on two potato cultivars, Spunta and Diamond, infected with potato virus Y (PVY) was investigated. Various parameters, including infection percentage, PVY virus infectivity, disease severity scoring, PVY optical density, photosynthetic and defense-related biochemical markers, enzymatic profiling, phenolic compounds, proline content, salicylic acid levels, and growth and yield parameters, were assessed to elucidate the potential of the QD3 actinobacterial isolate culture filtrate in mitigating PVY-induced damage. The physiological and biochemical characteristics of the QD3 actinobacterial isolate, including its salinity tolerance, pH preferences, and metabolic traits, were investigated. Molecular identification via 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed its classification as Streptomyces fradiae QD3, and it was deposited in GenBank with the gene accession number MN160630. Distinct responses between Spunta and Diamond cultivars, with Spunta displaying greater resistance to PVY infection. Notably, pre-infection foliar application of the QD3 filtrate significantly reduced disease symptoms and virus infection in both cultivars. For post-PVY infection, the QD3 filtrate effectively mitigated disease severity and the PVY optical density. Furthermore, the QD3 filtrate positively influenced photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic antioxidant activities, and key biochemical components associated with plant defense mechanisms. Gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC‒MS) analysis revealed palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester) and oleic acid (9-octadecanoic acid, methyl ester) as the most prominent compounds, with retention times of 23.23 min and 26.41 min, representing 53.27% and 23.25%, respectively, of the total peak area as primary unsaturated fatty acids and demonstrating antiviral effects against plant viruses. Cytotoxicity assays on normal human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) revealed the safety of QD3 metabolites, with low discernible toxicity at high concentrations, reinforcing their potential as safe and effective interventions. The phytotoxicity results indicate that all the seeds presented high germination rates of approximately 95–98%, suggesting that the treatment conditions had no phytotoxic effect on the Brassica oleracea (broccoli) seeds, Lactuca sativa (lettuce) seeds, and Eruca sativa (arugula or rocket) seeds. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the S. fradiae filtrate has promising anti-PVY properties, influencing various physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects in potato cultivars. These findings provide valuable insights into potential strategies for managing PVY infections in potato crops, emphasizing the importance of Streptomyces-derived interventions in enhancing plant health and crop protection.

Pennisetum glaucum in reducing ecotoxicity in soil with tebuthiuron, thiamethoxam and vinasse

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ecotoxicological effects on soils containing associations of the herbicide tebuthiuron (TBT), the insecticide thiamethoxam (TMX), vinasse (VIN), and millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cultivation. We conducted the experiment under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design with five replications. Treatments consisted in soil application of tebuthiuron (1000 g ha−1 a. i), thiamethoxam (330 g ha−1 a. i), vinasse (113 m3 ha−1) with or without P. glaucum cultivation. The monitoring extended to 50 days after sowing (DAS) and evaluated the ecotoxicological potential from Lactuca sativa seeds as test-organism. Seed germination and root development determined the germination index (GI) concerning the negative control, which was prepared with water. Thus, P. glaucum highlighted a beneficial influence on soil health, thereby mitigating the ecotoxicological effects of TBT and TMX. Results emphasized the importance of the timing in soil sample collection, where early collections after plant seeding result in higher germination rates and rapid soil health improvements. Furthermore, vinasse reduced the ecotoxicological impact of pesticides and TBT presence presented harmful effects to test-organism. The interaction between P. glaucum growth period and soil sampling had a profound impact on ecotoxicity bioassays, which highlighted the importance of early intervention. Therefore, P. glaucum and vinasse can be valuable components in effective phytoremediation strategies, pointing towards future research and enhancement of approaches for sustainable treatment strategies of agricultural soils with pesticides.

Nuclear DNA Markers to Distinguish between Salix caprea, Salix gracilistyla, and Their Interspecific Hybrids

The Salix genus of the Salicaceae family has advantages such as rapid initial growth, a high germination rate, and asexual reproduction; therefore, it is used as a short-rotation energy crop for biomass production. The National Institute of Forest Science created new interspecific hybrid cultivars with superior biomass production by artificially interbreeding Salix caprea L. and Salix gracilistyla Miq. Identifying these hybrids during the seedling stage is challenging because their separate reproductive and vegetative growth stages necessitate prolonged observation of their morphological characteristics. Consequently, a reliable identification method is required to overcome these limitations. This study aimed to develop nuclear DNA markers to distinguish between S. caprea, S. gracilistyla, and their interspecific hybrids. An evaluation of 35 nuclear simple-sequence repeat (nSSR) markers in the Salix genus revealed two markers that distinguish these parent species and their hybrids. A sequence analysis confirmed the presence of insertion-deletion (InDel) regions within the nSSR markers that differed between S. caprea and S. gracilistyla. To effectively identify hybrids, a primer set comprising the InDel region, which exhibited only interspecies differences and no intraspecies differences, was developed. The results of this study will facilitate the genetic resource management of interspecific hybrids between S. caprea and S. gracilistyla, thus allowing for early identification and improved management of hybrids.

Effect of Ultrasound Conditions on Germination and Drying Characteristics of Bengal Gram (Cicer arietinum L.) and Determination of Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Flours

ABSTRACTThis study aims to investigate the effect of ultrasound conditions on the germination kinetics and drying characteristics of a germinated Bengal gram at different drying temperatures. Ultrasound treatment was given to the Bengal gram seeds at two different conditions, that is, before (US) and after soaking (SU), which was then followed by germination. This study also determines mass transfer parameters at drying temperatures of 45°C, 55°C, and 65°C and assesses the influence on the physicofunctional characteristics of a germinated Bengal gram. The germination rate behavior was effectively predicted using a zero‐order kinetic model with the highest R2 value of 0.7974–0.8857 in each nontreated (S) and treated (SU, US) Bengal gram seed, respectively. This study showed that the ultrasound treatment effectively enhanced the germination rate in both conditions, and the highest germination rate was found in pretreated ultrasound Bengal gram samples. The logarithmic thin layer drying model, with the highest average R2 of 0.9954 and the lowest average RMSE value of 0.0160, is the best‐fitted model to predict the changes in moisture ratio in both treated and nontreated conditions. The moisture diffusivity values at drying temperatures ranging from 45°C to 65°C were found in treated (US, SU) and nontreated (S) germinated samples ranging from 3.34 × 10−8 to 4.03 × 10−8 m2/s, 1.30 × 10−8 to 2.01 × 10−8 m2/s, and 6.6 × 10−9 to 8.06 × 10−9 m2/s, respectively. The protein content increased in the ultrasound‐treated sample between 12.37% and 13.50%. The solubility ranged from 8% to 10.36% throughout the treated and nontreated germinated Bengal gram flour. This study provides a unified approach to utilizing ultrasound‐treated germinated Bengal gram seeds as an alternative option to develop a functional product with better nutritional and functional properties.

Microclimatic effects of tree shelters on the early establishment and resilience of seeded acorns vs. outplanted seedlings

Little is known about the effects of tree shelters on the early response of oak seedlings produced by acorn seeding. In this paper, we explore the effects on holm oak (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.) seedlings of the microenvironment created by the tree shelters and the restoration method (seeding vs. outplanting) in terms of emergence, survival, growth, and resilience after harvesting. For this purpose, seedling height [H], root collar diameter [RCD], number of leaves, and aerial biomass were monitored. We made two sowings of acorns in February 2017 and February 2018, together with a seedling outplanting in February 2018 in a common garden site in semiarid SE Spain. In total, 600 acorns were randomly sowed and 300 nursery-grown seedlings were outplanted and studied until 2022. Mother tree and initial acorn mass were also monitored as additional variables in the analyses. Tree shelters consisted of closed plastic Tubes, Mixed tubes, Cork shelters, Tiles, and a Control with no shelter. Emergence rate was positively influenced by the Tube shelter (86%) as compared to the Control (64%), and especially by the initial acorn mass. By contrast, mother tree or year of sowing seemed to have no effect. The survival rate for the emerged acorns (88%) was statistically similar to that of outplanted seedlings (91%), and was unaffected by mother tree, tree shelter, or acorn mass. In terms of growth, the slenderness ratio (H:RCD) was considerably higher in seedlings from directly seeded acorns than for those that were outplanted. With the exception of Tile, all the shelters showed a higher slenderness ratio than the Control, especially the Tube shelter, which also showed a lower number of leaves and a lower aboveground dry biomass than the Control, Cork, and Tile shelters. Virtually no interactions were observed between the mother tree and the tree shelter. At harvesting, all the growth-related parameters were still strongly dependent on the acorn mass and the initial seedling features recorded after the first growing season. Resprouting rate and growth were also highly dependent on the acorn mass and the plant features at the beginning of the experiment and at harvesting. In summary, we did not find evidence to support tree shelters to improve the microclimate of holm oak seedlings both seeded or outplanted. Direct acorn seeding can be as successful as outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings. Selection of heavy acorns from mothers with a high germination and emergence rate is highly advisable.

Temperature, Relative Humidity and Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density Affects the Growth of Phyllanthus niruri L. Seedling

In order to obtain high-quality seedlings, the effects of temperature, relative humidity, and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), the seed of Phyllanthus niruri L. (meniran) were investigated in different microclimate (temperature, relative humidity, PPFD) environments. The present study was conducted from February to May 2024 at the experimental greenhouse and screen house of the National Research and Innovation Agency, Banten, Indonesia. Microclimate parameters were observed thrice daily at 8 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm during the research. The two environments significantly differ in microclimate. The average temperatures, relative humidity, and PPFD of environment 1 are 35.30±5.04 oC, 60.95±17.40%, and 483.33±406.00 µmol m-2 S-1, while environment 2 are 33.07±4.84 oC, 70.47±16.63% and 356.4±339.55 µmol m-2 S-1. All treatments were repeated 18 times. After the 21-day treatment during the seedling stage, P. niruri seedlings were observed, including the germination rate, number of leaves, shoot length, and chlorophyll content index. Results showed that the germination rate, leaves, shoot length, and chlorophyll content index significantly differ between P. niruri seedlings in both environments. Phyllanthus niruri that grow in environment 1 have a higher germination rate than in environment 2, likewise, the number of leaves, shoot length, and chlorophyll content index. This initial research showed that P. niruri seedling grows better in an environment with temperature, relative humidity, and PPFD, respectively 35.30±5.04 oC, 60.95±17.40%, and 483.33±406.00 µmol m-2 S-1.

An innovative formulation to improve spent coffee characteristics as soil fertilizer: Nutrient, chemical characterization and effects on plant germination

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) possess high organic content and various essential nutrients. However, their direct use as a fertilizer is limited due to high acidity, phenolic content, and C/N ratio. Therefore, in this study, SCG-based fertilizer (SCGf) was developed by mixing the raw SCG (SCGr) and zein through a granulation process and was compared with the SCGr. According to the obtained results, in SCGf, a reduction in the C/N ratio from 22.9 to 10.9, improved flowability from fair to good, an increase in the concentration of elements (N, C, S), nutrients (ash, fats, proteins), macrominerals (Ca, Mg, P, K, Na), microminerals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn), total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities (AOA) was noted. Additionally, a decrease in total organic acids, total chlorogenic acids, and was also observed in SCGf. Regarding phytotoxicity test results obtained by using Sinapis alba, Sorghum saccharatum, and Lepidium sativum and treating them with 2.5%, 5%, and 10% of SCGf and SCGr, better germination was observed for SCGf in S. alba (5%, 10%), L. sativum (2.5%, 5%). However, in L. sativum, 5% of SCGr and 10% of both SCGr and SCGf completely inhibited seed germination. For S. saccharatum, higher germination rates were observed for SCGf (2.5%, 10%), and at 5%, a comparable effect of both SCGf and SCGr was noted. SCGf gave the longest root length at all concentrations in all plants except for 2.5% in S. alba. In conclusion, this study addresses the effective use of SCG for sustainable agriculture while mitigating environmental impacts.

ENHANCING GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOR IN NIGELLA SATIVA: THE IMPACT OF NANO IRON OXIDE AND PHOSPHORUS PRIMING

Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin, is known for its health benefits due to its rich content of compounds like thymoquinone. This study explored the effects of various seed priming methods on Nigella sativa seeds, including control (unprimed), distilled water, nano iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), phosphorus (P), and a combination of Fe₂O₃ and P. We assessed how these treatments influenced several key aspects of seed germination: germination rate (GR), mean germination time (MGT), germination index (GI), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), and vigor index (VI).Our results showed that seeds treated with Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles had the highest germination rate at 93.5% and germinated faster than seeds from other treatments. This suggests that Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles effectively speed up the germination process. However, despite the improved germination rate, the seeds treated with Fe₂O₃ did not exhibit the highest seedling vigor; the control seeds had the highest vigor index, indicating that while Fe₂O₃ accelerates germination, it does not enhance seedling health as much as the untreated seeds. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the germination index and coefficient of velocity of germination between the treatments, suggesting these parameters were less influenced by the priming methods.In summary, nano-priming with Fe₂O₃ is effective for speeding up seed germination but does not necessarily improve seedling vigor. These findings provide valuable insights into how different priming techniques can be optimized to enhance seed performance and plant growth under various conditions.