Storage Of Seeds Research Articles

Effect of Different Storage Periods and Medium on Germination and Seedling Parameters of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Germination is the first stage of a plant’s life. The seeds of grain legumes are used both as food and as seedlings. The vitality of the seeds is crucial for both uses. This study was conducted to determine the effect of storing seeds of the Lara variety of Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), harvested in 2023, in different periods (4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months) and different storage medium (paper bag, plastic bag, glass jar and plastic bottle) on their biological value. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with three replications. Germination was done in 2 different materials (sand and paper) in room conditions. Germination speed, germination power, length of plumula and radicle, dry matter of them, seedling vigour index, allometric coefficient, germination energy were observed. On the 4th day, which is considered in determining the germination rate for faba beans, no germination value was determined in any process. Germination power values varied between 72.7% and 97.3%. The highest germination value was obtained from seeds stored for 8 and 10 months. The highest value was recorded in plumula and root length values in 12 and 8-month-old stored seeds, respectively. It was determined that storage medium did not have a single effect on the observed measurements for these experiments. However, statistical differences between storage period and storage material interactions were found to be significant. The statistical differences between storage period and storage material interactions were found to be significant. As a result, it was concluded that the germination rate of the faba bean was early on the 4th day, the counting day, and this value should be studied. It has been concluded that the loss of germination power is very low in about 1 year of storage of faba bean, which have strong germination ability.

Impact of botanical extracts on mungbean pest management and seed storability in the northern highlands of Tanzania

This study assessed the efficacy of plant extracts as alternatives to synthetic pesticides for pest control and seed quality preservation in mungbean cultivation in northern Tanzania, specifically at TARI Selian and Miwaleni. The study employed a randomized complete block design. Four plants’ extracts—Tephrosia vogelii, Clutia abbsynica, Clausena anisata, and Lobelia gibelloa—were evaluated during the 2020 growing season (field) and 2021 storage period (storability). The study focused on their effects on insect pests (leaf beetles, thrips, aphids, whiteflies, and pod borers) and their ability to maintain seed quality during storage. C. anisata emerged as the most effective extract across all pests, demonstrating high suppression rates for thrips (3.4), aphids (3.22), whiteflies (3.4), and pod borers (2.7). In contrast, L. gibelloa was the least effective, with lower suppression rates for thrips (3.1) and aphids (3.1). Furthermore, botanical treatments significantly reduced pest damage in stored seeds, with T. vogelii and C. abbsynica showing superior performance in preserving seed weight and quality during storage. Seeds treated with T. vogelii had significantly fewer holes and lower weight loss compared to other treatments, indicating its effectiveness in both pest management and seed preservation. Conversely, L. gibelloa and C. anisata contributed to greater weight loss, particularly at higher application rates. The study demonstrates that plant extracts can offer a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides, effectively controlling pests and preserving seed quality. These findings are crucial for improving mungbean production and storage, enhancing food security, and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides in diverse agro-ecological contexts. Future research should further explore the long-term ecological impacts and optimal application rates of these botanicals for integrated pest management and seed storage.

Chan Seeds (Hyptis suaveolens L.) Storage Proteins: Isolation, Characterization, and Cytotoxic Effect on Three Cancer Cell Lines

Since pre-Hispanic times, chan seeds (Hyptis suaveolens L.) have been used as food and in traditional medicine. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic effect of their storage proteins on cancer cells. Thus, these were investigated in this study. The total protein content of the seeds was 19.5% (dry base), and its protein fractions were confirmed via Tris-Tricine-SDS-PAGE electrophoresis as 43.1% glutelins, 30.9% albumins, 23% globulins, and 2.9% prolamins. The antioxidant capacity determined by ABTS showed the highest percentage of inhibition for the prolamins fraction of 23.6% (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50]: 1.38 µg protein/mL) and the lowest percentage for the glutelins fraction of 6.3% (IC50: 4.51 µg protein/mL). The cytotoxic activity against the murine lymphoma L5178Y, human cervical (Hela), and colorectal (Caco-2) cell lines revealed that prolamin exerted superior inhibition on the Hela and Caco-2 cancer cells, with IC50 values of 0.49 and 0.44 mg protein/mL, respectively. This study underscores the potential of chan seed proteins as natural antioxidants and anticancer agents.

Effect of Natural Extracts during Storage Conditions on Seed Quality and Yield Performance of Soybean Cultivar Giza 22

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Diatomaceous Earth (DE) at 20 g/kg, Neem seed extract (NSE) at 25 g/kg, and Silica gel (SG) at 25 g/kg on seed quality, field performance, and seed yield of Giza 22 soybean seeds during various of storage durations and environmental conditions. Study Design: Three experiments investigated storage, germinability, and field performance of seeds using a FCRD with four replicates. The seed storage trial assessed open and cool storages conditions across durations of 1, 4, 8, and 12 months, with seed treatments of DE, NSE, and SG. Germinability and field performance were evaluated under the same storage conditions and treatments. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P = 0.05. Place and Duration of Study: The storage and germination trials were conducted at the preservation labs of the Seed Technology Research Unit, Mansoura City, FCRI, ARC, Egypt. While, the field experiment took place on a private farm in the village at geoical location 30°53'39"N 31°20'51"E. Methodology: The seeds were tested under open storage at ambient room conditions and cool storage at 5°C and 30% RH, and storage periods at four levels with two months interval. Results: Isolated data clarify applying cool storage or seed treatments (DE, NSE, and SG) over all storage periods significantly (P = 0.05) exceed open storage or the untreated control seeds, respectively. Cool storage combined with DE, NSE, and SG seed treatments significantly yielded the highest stored seed quality indices, field performance and seed yield compared to the untreated control seeds stored at open or cool storage conditions. Conclusion: It could be concluded that, the application of diatomaceous earth, neem seed extract, and silica gel on soybean seeds during storage has been shown to provide several benefits i.e., extend seed storability, reduce insect damage, improve seed germination and seedling vigor, and increasing seed yield.

Conservation, cryopreservation and behavior of reserve material throughout storage of bamboo seeds [Dendrocalamus asper (Schult. & Schult.f.) Backer ex K.Heyne

Conservation, cryopreservation and behavior of reserve material throughout storage of bamboo seeds [Dendrocalamus asper (Schult. & Schult.f.) Backer ex K.Heyne

A Beginner’s Guide to Producing and Saving Open-Pollinated Seeds for North Florida Farmers and Gardeners

Seed saving is the art and practice of preserving and sharing seeds from desired open-pollinated plants. Saving seeds has many benefits and motivations that may include improving the adaptability of a crop to a region or microclimate, preserving cultural traditions and foods, growing for nutrient density and flavor preferences, saving on the cost of seed purchases, and connecting to local communities through seed sharing. For example, you may start saving seeds to preserve a beloved heirloom variety with flavors that remind you of home or to improve on a crop that performed particularly well. Saving your own seeds can save money, as one good growing season can produce many years' worth of seeds. This publication is for farmers and gardeners interested in producing, using, or donating seeds from open-pollinated plants. It recommends practices to produce, harvest, and store seeds from annual vegetable, fruit, and herb crops. This guidance is not intended for commercial purposes.

The effect of Papaya leaf Powder in Seed Storage and its Impact on the Viability of Black Soybeans of the Detam-1 variety Led to the Establishment of the Callosobruchus analis F.

Black soybeans are one of the soybean varieties that have black skin and have various ingredients that provide many benefits for the human body. The shrinking of soybean seeds causes a decrease in the quality and quantity of seeds which can result in reduced supply of seeds for seeding purposes during the storage process. One of the factors that affect the viability of seeds during storage is the attack of warehouse pest insects, so it is necessary to control using vegetable insecticides by utilizing papaya leaf powder. This study aims to study the development of C. analis F. beetles due to the application of papaya leaf powder in seed storage and its effect on the viability of black soybeans of the Detam-1 variety. This experiment was carried out at the Basic Laboratory of the Faculty of Winaya Mukti University from June to August 2023. Environmental Design uses Complete Randomized Design consisting of 6 treatments and 4 repeats. Treatment dose of papaya leaf powder per 100 g black soybeans, namely: A = 0 g; B = 1 g; C = 2 g; D = 3 g; E = 4 g and F = 5 g. The results showed that the dose of papaya leaf powder 3 g per 100 g black soybeans seeds had an effect on the development of C. analis F beetles (mortality, number of eggs, number of larvae, number of pupae and number of imago), percentage of seed damage and percentage of seed weight, but did not affect the viability of black soybean seeds of the Detam-1 variety.. KEYWORDS :Callosobrucus analis F., Papaya leaf powder, Viability, Black soybeans.

Regeneration Limitations of Hippophae rhamnoides Population After Successfully Encroached on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

ABSTRACTShrub encroachment can alter the structure and function of grassland ecosystems, leading to their degradation. Therefore, population regeneration dynamics after shrub encroachment on the influence of grassland should not be ignored. H. rhamnoides, as a pioneer species, has significantly encroached with large areas on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP) due to climate change and over‐grazing. However, few studies have focused on the dynamics of population regeneration following successful encroachment. Therefore, we studied H. rhamnoides natural population in the alpine grasslands, investigating population regeneration pattern, seed, bud production and storage, and limitation imposed by microhabitats (soil, light and feeding). Our aim was to explore population regeneration strategies and identify key limiting factors for population regeneration after successful encroachment. Our findings revealed several key points: (i) H. rhamnoides entered the alpine grassland by relying on seeds, it would seize resources by low‐cost clonal reproduction, then increase sexual reproduction to improve genetic diversity. (ii) The production and storage of seeds and buds was sufficient, seed vigor was high, seed emergence rate was higher due to mechanical restriction of hard seed coat was weakened by the water transport channels in the palisade layer, and formation of seedlings was less restricted. (iii) H. rhamnoides population regeneration was mainly limited by microhabitats light and feeding. However, light and feeding significantly affected seedlings photosynthesis and carbon storage, their interaction significantly reduced the seedlings survival, and further restricted population regeneration. The results can provide theoretical basis for the restoration and management of alpine grassland degradation caused by shrub encroachment.

Soil seed bank resilience in passively restored endangered Sand Fynbos following a century of pine plantations

Societal Impact StatementEcosystems are rapidly being transformed, pushing us towards irreversible losses and even extinctions. The Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to curb biodiversity decline. An intriguing solution lies in seed banks—where plants store seeds in the soil. Restoration efforts can revive lost ecosystems by leveraging these seed banks. In the fynbos of South Africa, this study found that it is possible to bring back ecosystems that were lost as long ago as 100 years if conditions are right. Managers can achieve best results by applying a dry season prescribed burn following removal of the driver of degradation (e.g. pine plantations or invasions).Summary Soil‐stored seed banks are a critical evolutionary strategy for plants as they can stabilize population dynamics in response to environmental fluctuations such as droughts and natural disturbances such as fires, thus improving ecosystem resilience. This study aimed to assess resilience during the first restoration cycle of endangered Sand Fynbos following pine harvesting and a prescribed burn in South Africa. We compared above ground populations and soil‐stored seed bank composition and focused on six perennial fynbos focal species in five 1 m2 plots. All six species are obligate reseeders with soil‐stored seed banks but represent a variety of important fynbos growth forms and seed types. We found that native soil‐seed bank density following over a century of plantation forestry and 10 years after the first fynbos restoration burn was comparable to, or exceeded, densities measured in other fynbos studies, especially seed banks of alien‐invaded fynbos ecosystems. The early years following pine harvesting and a restoration burn likely provide a pest‐ and predator‐free window of opportunity in which plants may re‐establish and flourish. Our results show that even for old forestry plantation areas, ecological restoration to the historic vegetation community is feasible, where there is retained seed bank resilience, through a combination of passive and active restoration methods. Ecological restoration in cases where soil seed banks persist is therefore a viable and critically important method to attain 30% conservation of terrestrial land in ecosystems with less than 30% remaining, as part of the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Evaluation and prediction of the physical properties and quality of Jatobá-do-Cerrado seeds processed and stored in different conditions using machine learning models

The conservation of seed quality throughout storage depends on established conditions, monitoring, sampling and laboratory analysis, which are subject to errors and require technical and financial resources. Thus, machine learning techniques can help optimize processes and obtain more accurate results for decision-making regarding the processing and conservation of stored seeds. Therefore, the aim was to assess and predict the physical properties (moisture content, seed mass, length, thickness, width, volume, apparent specific mass, projected area, sphericity, mean diameter, circular area, circularity, drag coefficient), and physicochemical quality (crude protein, ash content, and acidity index) of Jatobá-do-Cerrado seeds under different processing conditions with pulp, without pulp (scarification), without pulp (fermented), and storage conditions at 10 and 23 °C over six months. Data were analyzed on Weka software (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) version 3.9.5. testing the following models: Pearson correlation, Artificial Neural Networks, decision tree algorithms RepTree and M5P, Random Forest, and Linear Regression. Processing cerrado jatobá seeds by fermentation and storage at 10 °C minimized physical changes and preserved the physicochemical quality of the seeds in polyethylene plastic, glass container, tetrapack, and polyethylene container, over six months. The combination of processing, temperature, and packaging variables for Artificial Neural Networks, RepTree, Random Forest, and M5P algorithms outperformed linear regression, providing higher accuracy rates. Artificial Neural Network and Random Forest models were the best predicting the effects of treatments on changes in physical properties and physicochemical quality of jatobá seed.

Advancements in Seed Treatment Methods and Storage Techniques of Marigold Seeds: An Overview

Floriculture plays a pivotal role in boosting national economies by driving foreign exchange revenues. However, current productivity levels in floriculture, particularly in marigold (Tagetes spp.), are insufficient to meet the escalating global demand for ornamental flowers. Marigold, being one of the most commercially significant crops in this sector, requires improved seed quality to achieve optimal performance and higher yields. Major constraints, such as the limited availability of high-quality seeds, and the rapid decline in seed viability during storage, continue to hamper productivity. Additionally, conventional seed treatment practices and storage methods often fail to sustain seed vigour and germination rates over extended periods. This review offers an in-depth analysis of the latest advancements in seed treatment technologies and storage practices to enhance germination, disease resistance, and seedling establishment. By integrating the insights from seed treatments and post-harvest storage of seeds, this review paper addresses key challenges faced by the floriculture industry and aligns with the growing global demand for high-quality floral crops.

Improved Seed Storage Technique in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cv. G7 in Coastal Environment

Background: Non-availability of good quality seeds at the right time is a major problem faced by groundnut growers. Groundnut seeds lose their viability quickly due to several biotic and abiotic factors during storage. Seed moisture content, storage temperature and relative humidity are three major factors affecting seed storability in coastal environments. Generally, groundnut seeds are stored as pods in gunny bags. Those seeds lose their viability rapidly due to the moisture-pervious nature of the container. Vacuum storage techniques may help in protecting the seed quality from the external environment in coastal areas. Methods: With this background, the experiment was conducted with two major objectives, to prolong the seed storability of groundnut and to reduce storage volume by using the kernel storage method in the place of pod storage. Each 20 kilograms of freshly harvested pods and 10 kilograms of kernels of Groundnut cv. G7 were treated with double spectrum fungicide (Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5%) and stored in three different containers viz., Gunny bag, High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) bag and Super grain bag comprising a total of 12 treatments and those were tested at bimonthly intervals to assess the quality. Result: The results shown that all the seed quality traits were differed significantly with duration of storage, storage container, method of storage and seed treatment. Irrespective of containers, untreated kernels lose their viability within a month of storage. Further, treated and untreated pods and kernels stored in gunny bags failed to fulfill the minimum germination standards (70%) after three months of storage. However, the kernels treated with fungicide and stored in HDPE or Super grain bags fulfilled minimum germination standards even after 11 months of storage. Hence, groundnut kernels treated with fungicide may be safely stored in Super grain bags or HDPE bags with reduced volume of storage as compared to pod storage. Accordingly, kernel storage in groundnut is possible if kernels pre-treated with double spectrum fungicide (Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5%) and stored in super grain bags or HDPE bags. Thus, the results have a high degree of practical utility for groundnut farmers and seed growers.

Seed Storage Potentiation Under Forced Ageing Condition

Storing of seeds is a serious problem in tropical region like Bankura and surrounding areas in West Bengal state of India where high temperature and high relative humidity greatly accelerate seed ageing. Chickpeas are a remarkable source of proteins and carbohydrates. It is also the rich supply of dietary fibre, essential amino acids and vitamins etc. It is also having no cholesterol which making them an acceptable dietary choice for individuals. The potential health benefits associated with chickpeas placed them as one of the most nutrient-dense grain legume for human consumption. Though the seeds having a lot of ethnomedicinal values but it lost viability in a quicker rate under Indian agro-climatic ambient storage condition. Pretreatment of chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum </i>L.) seeds with aqueous solution of CCC (chlorocholine chloride, 200 μg ml<sup>-1</sup>) for 4 hours before forced ageing treatment (100% RH and 32±2°C) for different incubations (0 to 40 days) reduced the loss of germination and field emergence capacity. The chemical also significantly arrested profuse reduction of protein as well as ageing-induced stimulation of the activity of amylase enzyme in seed during ageing. The treatments also significantly arrested profuse reduction of protein as well as ageing-induced stimulation of the activity of amylase in seed during ageing. The effect of CCC on seed potentiation is established in this study.

Germination alters the bioactive compounds of pigmented and non-pigmented rice varieties in fresh and year-old stored seeds

This study assessed the effect of germination on bioactive compounds in fresh and one-year-old seeds of pigmented and non-pigmented rice varieties. Rice varieties had similar changes in bioactive compounds during germination. GABA and several phenolic acids increased 11.7 to 18.5 folds and 0.7 to 4.2 folds, respectively in germinating seeds. The vitamin E compounds, γ-tocotrienol and α-tocopherol increased by 23 to 35 % only in soaked seeds, but declined after seed germination. In the germinating seeds, higher levels of phenolic acids (e.g., protocatechuic acid, 0.5-fold higher) and some compounds of vitamin E (e.g., γ-tocotrienol, 0.4-fold higher) were observed in the pigmented rice compared to the non-pigmented line, in accordance with antioxidant activity. Additionally, one-year-old seeds exhibited the same increases in bioactive compounds as the fresh seeds. We conclude that the seeds of the pigmented variety have the potential as a raw material for germination in the rice industry.

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Nutritional Quality and Shelf Life of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Produced in Benue State Nigeria

Cowpea plays an important role in the lives of millions of people in the developing world, providing a major source of dietary protein that nutritionally complements low-protein cereal and tuber crops. However, during storage, cowpea is attacked by a number of biological agents, which result in losses in the quality and quantity of stored seeds. This research investigated the application of Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation on the proximate composition and shelf life of locally produced cowpea seeds in Benue State, Nigeria. Cowpea seeds were irradiated at doses of 200 Gy, 300 Gy, 400 Gy, and 500 Gy and stored for four months. Proximate analysis revealed no significant difference (p ≥ 0.01) in protein, fat, ash, crude fibre, and carbohydrate content between irradiated cowpea seeds and the control. However, a significant difference (p ≤ 0.01) was observed in moisture content across all doses. After four months of storage, weight loss analysis indicated significant differences between irradiated and non-irradiated seeds of cowpea. Control samples experienced greater damage from insect infestation, resulting in the highest percentage of weight loss compared to irradiated samples. Notably, 500 Gy exhibited the least weight loss among irradiated samples, highlighting a dose-dependent effect of gamma irradiation on weight loss and its potential impact on shelf life. Irradiation doses, of 500 Gy for cowpea, can effectively preserve the nutritional components and extend the shelf life of cowpea, offering an alternative to chemical preservation methods.

Two plant extracts protect stored maize against infestation of Sitophilus zeamais in Northern Ghana

Botanicals have been encouraged as substitutes for conventional pesticides to reduce the impact of the latter on the environment. In line with that, we studied the effects of two plant extracts in controlling Sitophilus zeamais Motsch (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) attacks on stored maize (Zea mays L. Poales: Poaceae). The experiment was conducted under a normal room temperature of 27⁰C to 30⁰C and relative humidity of 74–76 % in a completely randomized experimental design. We infested the stored maize seeds in glass jars with S. zeamais F1 under a 12-hour day and 12-hour night within 24 hours period. This was after 50 g of the seeds were mixed with 2 g each of the two botanicals separately in different glass jars. There were 5 treatments and 10 replications in total. The data taken for this study were quantitative. To ascertain the efficacy of the botanicals we compared the number of dead and live weevils, of seeds damage and weight loss caused by weevil attacks under each of the different treatments by determining percentage mortality, percent weight loss, seed damage and progeny production. Our results showed that the different botanical formulations significantly controlled S. zeamais population resulting in reduced damage, better protection and improved storage of maize seeds. However, there were no significant differences in protections offered between shade dried neem seed powder and rice husk powder although the latter was the most efficacious with 85 % mortality compared to the former with 65 % with sundried neem seed powder being the least with a little above 40 % mortality. We concluded from this study that the formulated botanicals were very effective in controlling S. zeamais populations and therefore recommended that it be used as a cost effective and environmentally friendly protection of stored maize against S. zeamais attacks, especially in rural poor areas and places known for continuous seed production and storage, such as the case of the study community.

Contact Toxicity and Repellent Activity of a Powder Extracted from Tridax Daisy (Tridax procumbens) against Maize Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)1

Abstract The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) is a significant pest affecting stored seeds and grains, leading to substantial losses in both quantity and quality. Utilizing crushed plant powders derived from specific natural plants offers a promising alternative to synthetic insecticides, which pose risks to both consumers and the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the contact toxicity of Tridax daisy (Tridax procumbens L.) plant powder derived from its aerial parts against S. zeamais when incorporated into jasmine brown rice, Oryza sativa L., grains. Laboratory experiments were conducted at 30°C ± 5°C and 70% ± 5% relative humidity following a completely randomized design with four replications and five treatments. Jasmine brown rice grains were treated with different application rates of 0 (control), 20, 40, 60, and 80 g/kg, with five pairs/replicate of 7-d-old S. zeamais. Results showed that T. procumbens powder exhibited a contact toxicity of 93.08 g/kg of grain after 12 d, resulting in a mortality of 27.5%. Additionally, the F1 generation comprised 51 adults, indicating an 85% reduction in adult progeny emergence. These findings demonstrate the potential of T. procumbens powder as a natural grain protectant to control S. zeamais populations in storage.

Fungicidal Potentials of Leaf and Bark Extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum on Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Seed Fungi

In Nigeria, Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp) is an important grain legume which besides being a food crop serves as a major source of income for rural households. The action of pathogens on stored seeds causes huge post-harvest and economic losses to cowpea farmers in Nigeria. This research was aimed at isolating and identifying the spoilage pathogens of cowpea seed and testing the potentiality of ethanol extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the isolates. Spoilt cowpea seed samples were purchased from different markets in Anambra State. They were transported to Alpha Research Laboratory, Awka in sterile polythene bags for microbial isolation. The spoilage organisms were isolated from the seeds through microbial culture. The media used for the isolation were Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar. Pathogenic fungi were isolated from the spoilt cowpea seeds. The findings indicated that Aspergillus aculeatus, Fusarium solani, Penicillium citrinum, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Aspergillus flavus were present. The pathogenicity test also showed that the above organisms were responsible for cowpea spoilage. These isolates were tested for their in-vitro antifungal activity against the leaf and bark extracts of Bryophyllum Pinnatum. The antifungal activity ethanol extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the isolated microorganisms were investigated using the disc method. Three different concentrations (25%, 50%, 100%) of extracts were used for the test. Fusarium solani showed the highest percentage of inhibition with antifungal medication while Penicillium citrinum showed the least percentage of inhibition with antifungal medication. The antifungal potential of Bryophyllum pinnatum extract on spoilage pathogens of stored cocoyam corms encourages more research on the active ingredient of the plant for easy use by farmers as alternative to commercial/ synthetic fungicides.

Effect of Genotype and Altitude on the Germination of Freshly Collected Seeds from Wild-Growing Populations of Campanula pelviformis Lam. and Petromarula pinnata (L.) A. DC. (Campanulaceae)

The genetic wealth of range-restricted species is threatened by human activities such as habitat fragmentation or alteration. This research focused on the genotype effect in sexual propagation with freshly collected seeds of vulnerable local endemic plants in Crete, namely, Campanula pelviformis and Petromarula pinnata (Campanulaceae), which can be sustainably utilized for agro-alimentary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes. The morphological characteristics of seed length, width, and weight of freshly collected seeds from five wild-growing populations of C. pelviformis and seven wild-growing populations of P. pinnata from lowlands (<500 m) and semi-mountainous (>500 m) altitudes were measured and subjected to germination experiments at four incubation temperature treatments (10, 15, 20, and 25 °C). The effects of temperature, genotype, and their interactions were statistically significant for seed germination, with the results similar to those of previous studies on stored seeds of the same populations. Freshly collected seeds of both species germinated best at incubation temperatures of 10 °C and 15 °C (>68.13% for all population of C. pelviformis and >80.63% for six out of seven populations of P. pinnata), while significant differences were detected among genotypes for both species at each incubation temperature and among genotypes, even from similar altitudes. A statistically significant effect of altitude on germination percentages was observed at an incubation temperature of 20 °C between lowland and semi-mountainous genotypes for both species. The data produced in this study may enhance conservation efforts and lead to species-specific information that can be exploited in the future for their introduction as novel multi-purpose crops.

Seed priming enhances seed germination and plant growth in four neglected cultivars of Capsicum annuum L.

Priming is basically a water-based technique inducing controlled seed rehydration to trigger the metabolic processes normally activated during the early phase of germination. It is regarded as an ecofriendly approach alternative to fertilizers in traditional agriculture, but also a method to synchronize off-field crops and resume stored seeds, improving vigor, and allowing for a rapid, uniform seedling emergence. In this work we tested several methods of seed priming (i.e., hydro-priming, halopriming by KNO3, and acid priming with HCl) in four ancient and neglected cultivars of Capsicum annuum L., a crop species belonging to Solanaceae family cultivated worldwide. We followed germination performance, seedling growth and selected morphological traits, antioxidant production in the leaves, and protein content of the seeds. Apart from acid priming, which inhibited root emergence, both hydropriming and halopriming decreased the mean germination time in all cultivars. The best treatments were KNO3 6% for 96 h > KNO3 4% for 48 h > hydropriming for 24 h. In particular, KNO3 6% for 96 h in all four cultivars significantly increased plant growth, simple vigor index, development germination index, leaf antioxidant concentration and protein content in the seeds, in comparison to control and other priming treatments, indicating the prompt activation of pre-germinative processes.