Iranian Journal of Seed Research

In order to investigate the effects of priming with a KH2Po4 solution on emergence and heterotrophic growth of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seedling, a series of experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2013 and 2014. A field experiment was conducted as factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. The fertilizer resources (vermicompost (V)+Tiobacilus (T), micronized Sulfur (S)+T, V+S+T and control) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 30 and 60 kg.ha-1) were the first and second experimental factors, respectively. In the second experiment, selected treatments (in which showed emergence below 60% in the previous experiment) and seed priming (no priming, hydro priming and three levels of phosphorus (P)-priming as 100, 300 and 500 mM KH2Po4) were the first and second experimental treatments, respectively. Based on the results, the resources of soil amendment (V+T and V+S+T) significantly increased the emergence percentage of black seed (by 50 and 54%, respectively). In addition, seed reserve depletion percentage, seed reserve utilization efficiency and emergence percentage significantly increased by 300 mM KH2PO4 (by 9, 143 and 29%, respectively). There was a significant positive relationship between the weight of mobilized seed P and the emergence percentage of black seeds (R2= 0.90 **).

This experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications at two locations: Agricultural and natural resource center of Ardebil province (Moghan) and seed and plant certification and registration institute of Karaj in 2013. The treatments included: planting date in three levels (10-May, 25-May and 9-Jun), seed moisture content at harvest time in four levels (30%, 25, 20 and 15) and seed size in three levels (flat, round and medium). The measured traits were a standard germination test, mean time of germination, seedling weight and length vigor index, germination percent in radical emergence test and germination percent in cold test. The results illustrated that delayed planting caused reduction of seed quality and this reduction was more obvious in delayed harvest (15%), also the reduction rate in round seeds was more than flattered and medium seeds. The minimum percentage of germination and vigor were seen in round seeds of third planting date and moisture harvest by 15%. So it is recommended for corn seed production to sow the seeds before the last week of May and when seed moisture content reached 30 percent, cob harvesting should be started and the harvest not is delayed.

In order to assess seed deterioration of soybean at Ardebil province, this study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design in 2014. The treatments consisted of germination ability, seed moisture content and seed storing conditions. Germination ability treatment was concluded of three germination levels: 80%, 85% and 90%. Also, three rates of seed moisture content including 10%, 12% and 14%; and two seed storing conditions including seed storage of Moghan and controlled storage were considered as second and third treatments. The results indicated that seed quality significantly reduced by increasing the seed moisture content up to 14% and this moisture content was determined as inappropriate moisture for soybean seed storage. Seeds with high moisture content showed significantly lower normal seedlings percent, germination rate and seedling vigor indices. However, there was no significant difference between 12% and 10% seed moisture contents, so it can be concluded that 12% seed moisture content is proper moisture for soybean seed storage. According to the results, enhancement of seed moisture content more than 12% will result in more accelerated deterioration of soybean seed, in a way that seeds with higher moisture content, especially at inappropriate seed storage conditions will lose their quality and will cause yield reduction at field due to low plant density aroused from inadequate seedling emergence.

Roselle is an important medicinal and industrial plant of the family of Malvaceae, and is planted in vast areas of Sistan and Baluchestan. In a laboratory study, the effect of varying temperatures on seed germination of Hibiscus sabdariffa was investigated and minimum, optimum and maximum temperatures for its germination were determined in a completely randomized design with four replications.  For this purpose, temperatures 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50°C were considered in each treatment. Cardinal temperatures for germination were determined consistent with three models (i.e., Intersected-lines Model, Five-Parameters Beta Model and Quadratic Polynomial Model). The traits measured were germination percentage, the speed of germination and mean germination time. The temperature effect on all the measured traits was significant. The results of the regression analysis showed that the best model in terms of cardinal point of this plant is the Five-Parameters Beta Model. Given the results of this model, the minimum and the optimal temperatures for the germination of Roselle are 4.04°C, and 29.83° C, respectively.