Pre-germination Treatments Research Articles

Some aspect of soil and seed pre-treatments on germination, growth and biomass production of Tamarindus indica seeds in the nursery

Tamarind is a multipurpose plant. Hence, the study investigated soil and seed pre-treatments on germination, growth and biomass production of Tamarindus indica seeds in the nursery. Completely Randomized Design with four replicates was adopted and data were analysed using Analysis of Variance. Mechanically scarified seeds (MS) sowed in top soil (S1), river sand (S2), top soil plus river sand plus manure (S3) (S1MS), (S2MS), (S3MS), seeds treated with 60 % concentrated tetraoxosulphate (V1) acid (H2SO4) for 10 minutes (A10) and sowed in S1, S2, S3 (S1A10), (S2A10) and (S3A10) germinated first, 5 days after sowing (DAS), while the untreated soil (C) germinated last, 9 DAS. A10 gave (100 %) germination, while, A10 in an untreated soil (C) was the least (65 %). There was no significant effect among soil media on number of leaves (NL), wet weight of shoot (WWS) and dry weight of shoot (DWS) except on S3 with significant value (1.49) at 12 weeks after planting (WAS). Meanwhile, pre-germination treatment of MS had higher significant values (39, 105, 148, 171) on NL at 2, 6-12 WAS, (1.51) on leaf area (LA) at 12 WAS, (0.38, 0.98, 1.40, 2.56,2.83, 3.35) and (0.39, 0.43, 0.58, 0.97, 1.14, 1.32) on WWS and DWS both at 2-12 WAS respectively. Seeds soaked in water for 24 hours (S24h) had the lowest significant effect (0.80) on LA at 6 WAS. It is concluded and recommended that, mechanically scarified seeds at the micropyle was the effective treatment for breaking dormancy of T. indica seeds.

Overcoming Dormancy and Influence of Light on the Physiological Quality of Senna cana (Fabaceae) Seeds

Environmental factors affect the germination process, like the presence of seed coat and the quality of light; these informations are still scarce for many native species from Brazil, especially for Senna cana, which there are no adequate standards and methodologies to be used in germination tests. The aim of this research was to recommend adequate pre-germinative treatment(s) to overcome seed dormancy, and determine the degree of influence of different light regimes in seed germination of S. cana. Two experiments were carried out: T1-evaluation of different methods of dormancy overcoming (intact seeds (control), T2-imbibition of the intact seeds for 24 hours (in distilled water), T3-scarified seeds with sandpaper n° 100 in the hilum opposite region, T4-scarified seeds with sandpaper n° 100 in the region the hilo opposite region and imbibition in water (in distilled water) for 24 hours; T5-imbibition in water at 80°C); 2-Influence of light quality on seed germination and vigor (white light, red light, far red light and absence of light). The evaluated parameters were: first germination count, percentage of germination, IVG (Germination speed index), MGT (Mean germination time). Treatments were compared by Tukey at 5% probability. The best method for overcoming seed dormancy was mechanical scarification with sandpaper nº 100. The germination of the seeds of S. cana can be classified as indifferent to the luminosity, despite germinative response be greater under white and red light.

Seed germination and population structure of two endangered tree species: Magnolia perezfarrerae and Magnolia sharpii

Background: Due to habitat fragmentation many Magnolia species are at risk of extinction in Mexico.Question: What type of population structure is exhibited by Magnolia perezfarrerae and M. sharpii, endemic species of Chiapas, Mexico? Does the extreme reduction in the population of both Magnolia affect their reproductive capacity? What is the propagation potential in both species of Magnolia ? Is it necessary to use pregerminative treatments for Magnolia species propagation?Studied species: Magnolia perezfarrerae A. Vázquez & Gómez-Domínguez and Magnolia sharpii Miranda.Study sites and years of study: Highlands and Central Depression of Chiapas, Mexico, from 2015 to 2017.Methods: In this study, the density and distribution of diametric sizes of M. perezfarrerae and M. sharpii were assessed in natural populations. Their reproductive capacity and the ex-situ germination of both species was analyzed.Results: The population density in M. perezfarrerae was 40-53 ind. ha-1, and 24-83 ind. ha-1 in M. sharpii . Size structure varied between populations of each species: one apparently without problems of regeneration, and another with discontinuous distribution in several size categories. The seeds presented physical, chemical and mechanical dormancy. The pre-germination treatments applied proved mostly effective for M. sharpii by 73 % and by 64 % for M. perezfarrerae .Conclusions: The current condition of Magnolia species is critical and their persistence is compromised. Any viable conservation option would need to identify potential sites for the reintroduction of new populations.

Vigna unguiculata seed priming is related to redox status of plumule, radicle and cotyledons.

Pre-germination treatments represent the physiological methods that improve plant production by modulating the metabolic activities of germination before the emergence of the radicle. It was suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in signalling seed germination. Our work consisted in studying changes in the redox status in the embryonic axis (radicle and plumule) and in cotyledons of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. non-primed, osmoprimed (30% PEG6000), hydroprimed or twice hydroprimed seeds, by estimating antioxidant activities and production of ROS. Some antioxidant enzymatic activities as well as total non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity were measured. The production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2-) was also assessed by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) respectively. The results obtained showed, on the one hand, that priming allows activation of antioxidant enzymes, especially in the plumule. On the other hand, these results showed that priming caused an accumulation of ROS in embryonic tissues. This may explain the improvement of seed germination performance according to the oxidative window model. Priming induced changes in the redox environment at the seed level. These changes were closely related to the pre-germination treatments. Indeed, a double cycle of hydration-rehydration induced the broadest spectrum of modifications of the redox status, which would explain the improvement of the seed vigour.

Influência de tratamentos pré-germinativos e crescimento inicial de plântulas de Libidibia ferrea

Objetivou-se verificar a influência de tratamentos pré-germinativos no vigor de germinação e crescimento inicial de mudas de Libidibia ferrea. Foram utilizados 5 tratamentos: controle; ácido sulfúrico; água por 24 h; água quente e escarificação. Para a germinação, avaliou-se a porcentagem (%E), o índice de velocidade (IVE) e o tempo médio de emergência (TME) e para o crescimento inicial, avaliou-se a altura das mudas, diâmetro do caule, número de folhas, matéria seca das folhas, caule e das raízes, e razão raiz/parte aérea. O tratamento com ácido sulfúrico resultou em maior %E e IVE e menor TME, apresentando, também, o melhor crescimento das plantas.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seeds germination

Abstract. Mohammed NMI, Said AGE. 2018. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seeds germination. Cell Biol Dev 2: 63-68. This study aimed to examine if pre-germination treatments could effectively promote date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed germination in the Nursery of the Horticultural Sector, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Khartoum, Sudan. Seeds were soaked in water for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days before being planted in one of the following media: sand:clay (1:1), sand:clay (1:2), sand:clay (1:0), sand:clay (0:1), and sand:clay (2:1). The factorial completely randomized block design was employed in this investigation. The 6-day soaking time resulted in the highest percentage of seeds germinating; as the soaking time increased, the percentage of seeds germinating decreased. The 6-day soaking time also improved seed germination, allowing for a 50 % final germination percentage in the shortest time. Sowing seeds in a 2:1 soil mix decreased germination days, resulting in a substantial increase in germination percentage compared to other soil type mixes evaluated, regardless of soaking duration. In addition, seeds soaked for 6 days and planted in a 2:1 soil mix produced the tallest seedlings.

The effect of sucrose concentration on growth and induction of somatic embryogenesis in Catharanthus roseus callus

Abstract. Mohammed NMI, Said AGE. 2018. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seeds germination. Cell Biol Dev 2: 63-68. This study aimed to examine if pre-germination treatments could effectively promote date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed germination in the Nursery of the Horticultural Sector, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Khartoum, Sudan. Seeds were soaked in water for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days before being planted in one of the following media: sand:clay (1:1), sand:clay (1:2), sand:clay (1:0), sand:clay (0:1), and sand:clay (2:1). The factorial completely randomized block design was employed in this investigation. The 6-day soaking time resulted in the highest percentage of seeds germinating; as the soaking time increased, the percentage of seeds germinating decreased. The 6-day soaking time also improved seed germination, allowing for a 50 % final germination percentage in the shortest time. Sowing seeds in a 2:1 soil mix decreased germination days, resulting in a substantial increase in germination percentage compared to other soil type mixes evaluated, regardless of soaking duration. In addition, seeds soaked for 6 days and planted in a 2:1 soil mix produced the tallest seedlings.

Aspectos reproductivos de Schinus areira L. (Anacardiaceae) en Argentina

Schinus areira L. es un árbol naturalizado en el noroeste y oeste de Argentina y extensamente cultivado en el país. Nuestros objetivos fueron (1) determinar la biología floral y reproductiva de S. areira, (2) comparar diferentes tratamientos pregerminativos par la especie y (3) analizar la morfología de las plántulas durante el desarrollo para su correcta identificación taxonómica. Se realizaron análisis de biología floral y del sistema reproductivo, de morfología del fruto y semilla, y diferentes tratamientos pregerminativos. Se registró el desarrollo de plántulas a los 90, 180 y 270 días. Como resultado se obtuvo que la proporción frutos/flores fue muy baja o baja, y la proporción polen/óvulo muy alta. Por otro lado, los tratamientos pregerminativos dieron resultados muy bajos lo cual concuerda con la morfología del fruto. Las plántulas tuvieron un crecimiento normal alcanzando un promedio de 43 cm de altura a los 270 días, y desarrollaron hojas basales simples con hojas compuestas a partir aproximadamente de los 180 días. Se propone que la especie es dioica y polígamo-monoica, mayormente ginomonoica, la polinización es ambófila con predominio de entomofilia, y el desarrollo de las plántulas fanerocotiledonar epígeo.

Germination of Jamblang (Syzygium Cumini) Seeds on Three Treatments of Pre-Germination And Sowing Media

Generative propagation was needed as one of efforts in developing jamblang as a medicinal plant. This study aims to improve the percentage and germination rate of jamblang seeds through pre-germination and sowing media treatments. The combination of treatments were (1) soil (T) x water (AB), (2) soil (T) x coconut water (AK), (3) soil (T) x control (without soaking treatment) (K), (4) sand (P) x water (AB), (5) sand (P) x coconut water (AK), (6) sand (P) x control (K), (7) mixed soil-sand (TP) x water (AB), (8) mixed soil-sand (TP) x water (AB), and (9) mixed soil-sand (TP) x control (K). The results revealed that the treatments of sowing seeds with mixed media soil + sand and pre-germination treatments by soaking the seeds for 12 hours in coconut water gave the highest percentage (70%) and germination rate (4.96%). Percentage of germination more than 50% only can be reached by the seeds that sowed on mixed soil + sand with pre-germination treatments soaked in coconut water for 12 hours and in water for 12 hours. The improvement in the percentage and germination rate of jamblang were achieved by using mixed sowing media soil + sand and pre-germination treatment by soaking in coconut water.

Seed dormancy, germination and seedling characteristics of Elaeocarpus prunifolius Wall. ex M\xfcll. Berol.: a threatened tree species of north-eastern India

BackgroundElaeocarpus prunifolius Wall. ex Müll. Berol. is a threatened tree species of north-eastern India. The present study was undertaken to investigate the type of dormancy prevailing in seeds of E. prunifolius, explore seed dormancy breaking techniques and assess seedling fitness.MethodsRipe fruits of E. prunifolius were harvested from Jaintia hills, and seeds were subjected to various physical, manual and chemical treatments. The effect of plant growth regulators, viz gibberellic acid (GA3) and potassium nitrate (KNO3), were tested. Seedling vigour and survival based on seed weight were examined.ResultsGermination took 6 months to initiate after seed dispersal and natural germination percentage of fresh seeds was 24%. Physical pre-germination treatments such as surface and acid scarification failed to overcome dormancy. Cracked seeds promoted germination (46%) with a mean germination time of 146 days (time to 50% germination, T50 = 144 days). Among the GA3 treatments, split seeds treated with GA3 (3000 mg/L−1) yielded the highest germination (24%) with a T50 of 55 days whereas KNO3 did not promote germination. A combination of GA3 and KNO3, however, increased the germination to 31%. Between the seed weight classes, the highest percentage of germination was observed in heavy seeds (25%) and the lowest in light seeds (20%). There was no significant variation between seed weight and germination time (p > 0.05). Seed weight had a significant effect on the shoot height, number of leaves and dry weight of seedlings (p < 0.05).ConclusionBased on the seed tests, E. prunifolius seeds exhibits ‘combined’ dormancy (physical and physiological) as splitting seed coat and application of GA3 effectively broke dormancy. Splitting the seed coat is a cost-effective method for accelerating germination of seeds. Heavy-weight seeds produced better performing seedlings compared to their counterparts which may be viewed as an important reproductive strategy of the species.

PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON ATEMOYA SEEDS GERMINATION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of plant regulators on seed germination of different atemoya cultivars: Thompson, Gefner and PR-1. The seeds were extracted from ripe fruits and submitted to the following treatments: 50 mg L-1 gibberellic acid (GA3), 10 ml kg-1 of seeds (Stimulate®), 6 ml kg-1 of seeds (Evolust®), and control. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 4x3 (three seed treatments + control x three cultivars), using five samples of 25 seeds. The seeds were sowed on paper and placed in a germination chamber, using alternated temperature 20-30oC (16h - 8h) under light absence. There were evaluated the percentage of germinated seeds, normal seedlings, abnormal seedlings, and the germination speed index. The Thompson cultivar presented the highest percentage of germinated seeds, normal seedlings, and germination speed index, followed by the Gefner cultivar. Among the products, the GA3 promoted greater germination percentage. Using GA3 and Stimulate®, as a pre-germination treatment, provided high percentage of normal seedlings. The products utilized did not affect the germination speed index.

Pre-germination treatments in four prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp.) species from Northeastern Mexico

Pre-germination treatments in four prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp.) species from Northeastern Mexico

Efecto de herbicidas pre-emergentes sobre la siembra directa de semillas pregerminadas de Gmelina arborea Roxb. y Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. para el establecimiento de plantaciones dendroenergéticas

This study addresses the need to find preemergence herbicides for the direct sowing of seeds of forest species dedicated to the establishment of energy plantations. Twelve different preemergence herbicides were evaluated on the direct sowing of two forest species with great potential for biomass production for bioenergy. One of the limiting aspects of the plantations energy is the high cost of establishment by concept of acquisition of plants, so we looked for the best options for direct sowing of pregerminated seeds of Gmelina arborea (Melina) and Gliricidia sepium (Black Madero), and offer an alternative in lowering costs. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse (ITCR, Cartago), for 10 weeks, analyzing each species separately. A randomized complete block experimental design was used. The seeds were subjected to the best pre germination treatment and sown in pots, they were immediately atomized by the different pre-emergent herbicides following the protocol described in the methodology. At the end of the experiment it was determined that pre-emergent herbicides with the active ingredient of Linuron and Oxyfluorfen can be used in the direct sowing of Melina, as they did not cause damage to plant yields, in addition to obtaining most of the parameters with statistically superior results. In the case of black Madero the pre-emergent Linuron obtained the best results, concluding that it can be useful for use in direct sowing. The pre-emergent herbicide with the active ingredient of Pendimethalin obtained the lowest yield results in almost all the parameters analyzed; For both species it produced the total death of the weeds before week 7.

Adequacy of pre-germinative treatment for seed Tamarindus indica L

Adequacy of pre-germinative treatment for seed Tamarindus indica L

PERKECAMBAHAN BENIH TISUK (Hibiscus macrophyllus Roxb.) PADA BEBERAPA PERLAKUAN PERIODE PENCAHAYAAN, PERLAKUAN PENDAHULUAN DAN PENYIMPANAN

Tisuk ( Hibiscus macrophyllus Roxb.) is a potential fast growing species to cultivate in a forest community and forest plantation. This species has strong seed dormancy that causing its germination becomes obstacle in seedling procurement. The aim of this research was to determine the response of tisuk seed germination on the several lighting periods, pre-germination treatment, and storage rooms by using 4 tisuk populations (Sumedang, Ciamis, Pemalang and Malang) in Java. Randomized completely design was used to test the optimum lighting periods, pre-germination treatments, and storage rooms for tisuk seeds. The result showed that lighting periods was the only treatment which affected significantly the seedlot from Pemalang. Seed germination testing of tisuk in laboratory was preferred to use lighting period of 8 hours light and 16 hours dark. Tisuk seed is categorized as orthodox with strong dormancy level so the seed germination capacity and speed without pre-germination treatment were very low that is ranged between 5.5 percent ─ 8.3 percent and 0.62 percent - etmal ─ 0.91percent - etmal , respectively. Pre-germination treatment by soaking the seeds in H 2 SO 4 for 30 minutes was able to increase germination capacity and speed for all seedlots from 4 different populations with germination capacity and speed ranges of 62.5 percent ─ 71.3 percent and 7.58 percent - etmal ─ 9.75 percent - etmal , respectively. Tisuk seed of all the populations were deteriorating during storage and seed with the lower moisture content had better storability. The seed germination could be maintained better in Dry Cold Storage than in a refrigerator and ambient room.

Propagación sexual y tolerancia a la desecación del agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Sw) de tres fuentes semilleras localizadas en Ráquira, San Miguel de Sema (Boyacá) y Gachetá (Cundinamarca)

Vaccinium meridionale es una especie con un alto potencial agroalimentario registrada en la región altoandina de Colombia. Actualmente no hay un proceso establecido para su producción y la cosecha de los frutos generalmente se hace en huertos silvestres mantenidos y propagados vegetativamente, lo que puede ocasionar pérdida de la diversidad genética. Por ello, se evalúo la propagación sexual en invernadero y la tolerancia a la desecación de V. meridionale. Se hicieron pruebas de viabilidad con tetrazolio y de tolerancia a la desecación, así como ensayos de propagación sexual en invernadero para evaluar la repuesta germinativa con dos beneficios (fermentado y sin fermentar) y cinco tratamientos pregerminativos (500 mgl-1 de ácido giberélico, GA3, 500 mgl-1 de nitrato de potasio, KNO3, agua de coco al 100 %, Aloe vera al 50 %, y control por “inmersión en agua”) de semillas recolectadas en tres fuentes semilleras localizadas en los municipios de Ráquira, San Miguel de Sema (Boyacá) y Gachetá (Cundinamarca). No se registraron diferencias en los porcentajes de germinación y el tiempo medio de germinación en cuanto a las fuentes semilleras, los beneficios y los tratamientos pregerminativos utilizados, por lo cual se recomienda evaluar otro tipo de sustratos y tratamientos de ruptura de latencia. Dado el carácter ortodoxo de las semillas de mV. meridionale, la especie es apta para su conservación ex situ utiliando la estrategia de bancos de semillas. © 2018. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat.

Germination pretreatment and storage behavior of Terminalia laxiflora seed

Terminalia laxiflora Engl. & Diels. is an important indigenous and multi-purpose species in Ethiopia. However threatened due to low germination and its storage behavior is unknown. In this study, we aimed to (1) test pretreatments for breaking the dormancy of T. laxiflora seed and (2) determine its storage behavior. Seeds were subjected to four pretreatments such as soaking, scarification, high-temperature, and control. Experiments were done before storage and after 2 years of dry storage at cold temperature (− 10 °C) based on randomized design with four replicates. The first round of experimental results showed that T. laxiflora seeds with high temperature treatments at 78 °C for 10 min showed significantly higher germination percentage (80%). In the second round experiment, high-temperature treatment at 78 °C for 15 min, cold water soaking, high-temperature treatment at 78 °C for 10 min, hot water soaking, and high-temperature treatment at 78 °C for 5 min showed significantly higher germination percentage from the remaining treatments (75, 64, 58, 56, and 53%, respectively). To break the dormancy of T. laxiflora seed and attain good germination result, seeds should be pretreated with high-temperature at 78 °C for 10 min to test the initial germination before storage and should be pretreated with high-temperature (at 78 °C for 15, 10, or 5 min), soaked in cold, or hot water for 24 h to monitor the germination after storage. The two experiments show that T. laxiflora produces orthodox seed.

Seed Germination and Dormancy breaking in Embelia ribes seeds

Embelia ribes Burm. f. is an important, vulnerable, dioecious, woody climber. The fruits of Embelia ribes areused in ayurvedic formulations. The plant usually blooms during January-April and the fruits mature during June-August.Seeds are found to be dormant, so seed germination in the natural condition and rooting from the stem cuttings are verypoor. Effect of pre-germination treatments on freshly harvested seeds of Embelia ribes was carried out. The highest (75%) germination percentage was observed in GA31000 ppm treated seeds.

Sarcotesta removal methods and GA3 treatment on germination of Punica granatum L. seeds

A propagação em Punica granatum é realizada, predominantemente, através da semente, ocorrendo baixa taxa de germinação, devido à dormência e à rápida perda do seu poder germinativo. Investigações relacionadas à remoção da sarcotesta em sementes dessa espécie são escassas, como também a utilização de tratamentos pré-germinativos de ácido giberélico (GA3). Com isso, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de métodos de remoção do arilo e o tratamento com GA3, na germinação de sementes de P. granatum. As sementes foram extraídas de frutos maduros e submetidas a três métodos para extração da sarcotesta: 1) lavagem manual em peneira e água corrente; 2) repouso em solução de cal virgem, durante 24 h; e 3) fermentação em sacarose, por 72 h. As sementes foram divididas em duas porções iguais, uma imersa em solução de 200 mg L-1 de GA3 e outra sem imersão em GA3. A degomagem com cal virgem foi eficiente, removendo de modo fácil e rápido toda sarcotesta das sementes, proporcionando maior velocidade (4,26) e percentual (60%) de germinação às mesmas. O tratamento com cal virgem associado à aplicação de GA3 promoveu um incremento no percentual de germinação (70%), contribuindo para melhor superação da dormência.

Cracking the case: Seed traits and phylogeny predict time to germination in prairie restoration species.

Traits are important for understanding how plant communities assemble and function, providing a common currency for studying ecological processes across species, locations, and habitat types. However, the majority of studies relating species traits to community assembly rely upon vegetative traits of mature plants. Seed traits, which are understudied relative to whole‐plant traits, are key to understanding assembly of plant communities. This is particularly true for restored communities, which are typically started de novo from seed, making seed germination a critical first step in community assembly and an early filter for plant establishment. We experimentally tested the effects of seed traits (mass, shape, and embryo to seed size ratio) and phylogeny on germination response in 32 species commonly used in prairie grassland restoration in the Midwestern USA, analyzing data using time‐to‐event (survival) analysis. As germination is also influenced by seed dormancy, and dormancy break treatments are commonly employed in restoration, we also tested the effects of two pretreatments (cold stratification and gibberellic acid application) on time to germination. Seed traits, phylogeny, and seed pretreatments all affected time to germination. Of all traits tested, variables related to seed shape (height and shape variance) best predicted germination response, with high‐variance (i.e., pointier and narrower) seeds germinating faster. Phylogenetic position (the location of species on the phylogenetic tree relative to other tested species) was also an important predictor of germination response, that is, closely related species showed similar patterns in time to germination. This was true despite the fact that all measured seed traits showed phylogenetic signal, therefore phylogeny provided residual information that was not already captured by measured seed traits. Seed traits, phylogenetic position, and germination pretreatments were important predictors of germination response for a suite of species commonly used in grassland restoration. Shape traits were especially important, while mass, often the only seed trait used in studies of community assembly, was not a strong predictor of germination timing. These findings illustrate the ecological importance of seed traits that are rarely incorporated into functional studies of plant communities. This information can also be used to advance restoration practice by guiding restoration planning and seed mix design.