Search published articles
Showing 144 results for Germin
Haniyeh Saadat, Mohammad Sedghi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chitosan on germination indicators and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in safflower seedlings under salinity stress.
Method: The experiment was conducted using a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design with three replications at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2024. The experimental treatments included four salinity levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl) and four concentrations of chitosan (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.5% w/v), which were dissolved in 1% acetic acid.
Results: The results showed that salinity stress reduced the germination rate, radicle length, plumule length, seedling length, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight. However, priming with different concentrations of chitosan, especially at 0.5%, improved these traits. The highest daily germination rate (0.114) was observed in the control group (distilled water priming) under 150 mM salinity. The activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes in the control under 150 mM salinity increased by approximately 43% and 70%, respectively, compared to the 0.5% chitosan treatment under non-saline conditions. Similarly, the activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme in the 0.5% chitosan treatment under 150 mM salinity increased by about 67% compared to the control under non-saline conditions. Furthermore, the ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity in seeds primed with 0.5% chitosan increased by 37% compared to the control (distilled water priming).
Conclusions: The results indicated that seed treatment with different concentrations of chitosan can mitigate the harmful effects of salinity on some traits of safflower seedlings and improve seedling growth. The best results were achieved when 0.5% chitosan was used under salinity conditions.
Highlights
- Safflower seed priming using 0.5% chitosan improved the germination indices of safflower seeds under salinity stress.
- Safflower seed priming with 0.5% chitosan increased the activity of the superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes.
- Priming with chitosan had a better effect on the germination indices and biochemical characteristics of safflower seeds compared to the control.
Hamid Zolghadri, Salim Farzaneh, Mohammad Ahmadi, Raouf Sayed Sharifi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydroprime and seed coating with humic acid, and biological compounds on the germination and emergence of the sweet corn cultivar 'Amyla'.
Method: The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications under laboratory and greenhouse conditions, and four replications under field conditions in 2018. The study was carried out at Mohaghegh Ardabili University and the experimental fields of the National Agro-Industrial Company of Moghan. The fourteen treatments consisted of seed coating with different amounts of amino acid fertilizer (2, 4, and 6 g kg-1 of seed), seaweed extract (3, 6, and 9 g kg-1 of seed), humic acid (3, 6, and 9 g kg-1 of seed), hydroprime + humic acid, hydroprime + seaweed extract, hydroprime + amino acid, hydroprime alone, and an uncoated control. A 3% carboxymethylcellulose solution was used as an adhesive for the seed coating.
Results: Seed coating with humic acid and hydroprime significantly improved the germination and emergence percentages of the 'Amyla' sweet corn seeds under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. The best results were obtained with the hydroprime and humic acid (6 g kg-1) treatments, which showed the highest germination percentage (98.66%) and emergence percentage (93.33%). The germination and emergence rates also increased significantly in these treatments. Contrary to expectations, seaweed extract negatively affected the germination and emergence of the sweet corn seeds. These results indicate that using seaweed extract as a seed coating may not be suitable for all corn cultivars. The 3% carboxymethylcellulose adhesive used for coating had no adverse effect on seed germination and emergence; in some cases, it even slightly improved the results.
Conclusions: This research clearly demonstrates that coating 'Amyla' sweet corn seeds with humic acid (6 g kg-1) and hydroprime is not only a practical solution for improving germination and seedling establishment but also, as a sustainable technology, can help address challenges in modern agriculture.
Highlights
Method: The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications under laboratory and greenhouse conditions, and four replications under field conditions in 2018. The study was carried out at Mohaghegh Ardabili University and the experimental fields of the National Agro-Industrial Company of Moghan. The fourteen treatments consisted of seed coating with different amounts of amino acid fertilizer (2, 4, and 6 g kg-1 of seed), seaweed extract (3, 6, and 9 g kg-1 of seed), humic acid (3, 6, and 9 g kg-1 of seed), hydroprime + humic acid, hydroprime + seaweed extract, hydroprime + amino acid, hydroprime alone, and an uncoated control. A 3% carboxymethylcellulose solution was used as an adhesive for the seed coating.
Results: Seed coating with humic acid and hydroprime significantly improved the germination and emergence percentages of the 'Amyla' sweet corn seeds under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. The best results were obtained with the hydroprime and humic acid (6 g kg-1) treatments, which showed the highest germination percentage (98.66%) and emergence percentage (93.33%). The germination and emergence rates also increased significantly in these treatments. Contrary to expectations, seaweed extract negatively affected the germination and emergence of the sweet corn seeds. These results indicate that using seaweed extract as a seed coating may not be suitable for all corn cultivars. The 3% carboxymethylcellulose adhesive used for coating had no adverse effect on seed germination and emergence; in some cases, it even slightly improved the results.
Conclusions: This research clearly demonstrates that coating 'Amyla' sweet corn seeds with humic acid (6 g kg-1) and hydroprime is not only a practical solution for improving germination and seedling establishment but also, as a sustainable technology, can help address challenges in modern agriculture.
Highlights
- The effects of hydropriming and seed coating with humic acid, amino acid fertilizer, and seaweed extract on germination and emergence of 'Amyla' sweet corn cultivar were evaluated.
- The combination of hydropriming and humic acid coating (6 g kg⁻¹) was an optimal strategy for enhancing germination and seedling establishment of 'Amyla' sweet corn cultivar.
Farshid Ghaderi-Far, Majid Azimmohseni, Sima Sheikhveisi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study introduces functional analysis of variance as a method for comparing germination trends under different treatments over a given time interval. This approach not only enables the comparison of treatments over the entire time period but also allows for treatment comparisons at each specific moment in time. Moreover, it identifies critical time points at which the maximum significant difference between treatments occurs, which can serve as novel germination indices.
Method: In this study, real experimental data from four germination studies were analyzed: (1) the effect of temperature on Nigella sativa germination, (2) the effect of salinity stress on Zea mays seed germination, (3) the comparison of germination among different Triticum astivum cultivars, and (4) the effect of water stress on Brassica napus germination. Using spline functions, germination data from these experiments were modeled as a function of time. The results of functional analysis were then used to compare treatments in terms of both germination percentage and germination time across the four experiments.
Results: The results of the functional analysis demonstrated its high efficiency in detecting significant or non-significant differences between treatments throughout the germination period. Furthermore, this method enabled comparisons of germination percentages at any given time point, as well as comparisons of germination times at various germination percentiles, providing detailed insights into the nature of differences among treatments. This approach also facilitated the introduction of new germination indices applicable to different seed types.
Conclusions: Overall, the results of this study indicate that the stepwise functional analysis method introduced here is an effective and precise tool for comparing treatments in germination data. This approach not only enhances treatment comparisons but also provides detailed insights into the nature of differences between treatments. Moreover, it overcomes the limitations associated with using conventional germination indices for treatment comparisons.
Highlights
- Functional analysis was applied to compare treatments in germination percentage data.
- The method enabled treatment comparisons in terms of germination percentage at each moment in time, as well as comparisons of germination times at various percentiles.
- Critical germination times and percentiles at which the maximum differences between treatments occur were introduced as novel germination indices.
Nasrin Teimoori, Mohsen Saeidi, Mahmood Khoramivafa, Shahab Khoshkhoi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficiency of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in mitigating salinity stress effects in comparison with bulk ZnO, and to examine the influence of different priming durations on chickpea seed germination under salinity conditions.
Method: The study was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications on chickpea (Kasra cultivar). The first factor was the priming agent (1-100 nm ZnO nanoparticles, 40-60 nm ZnO nanoparticles, bulk ZnO, and hydro-priming). The second factor was the priming duration (6, 12, and 24 h), and the third factor was the level of salinity stress (0, 20, 40, and 80 mM NaCl). Key indicators related to germination quality and seedling growth were subsequently assessed.
Results: Salinity stress significantly affected the germination percentage, germination rate, mean germination time, mean daily germination, and seedling vigor weight index. The respective values at 0 and 80 mM NaCl were 98.7% vs. 68.4%, 15.6 vs. 10.4 germinated seeds per day, 2.11 vs. 2.39 days, 12.3 vs. 8.56 seeds per day, and 5466 vs. 1853. Salinity stress also significantly increased the root-to-shoot length ratio. Seed priming with 1-100 nm ZnO nanoparticles significantly increased seedling dry weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and consequently, the seedling vigor index compared to other zinc forms and hydro-priming. Furthermore, this treatment reduced the percentage of abnormal seedlings to 20.7% under 80 mM NaCl. Priming durations of 12 and 24 h were superior to 6 h, resulting in a significant increase in seedling and shoot length, seedling and shoot weight, and the seedling vigor length index.
Method: The study was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications on chickpea (Kasra cultivar). The first factor was the priming agent (1-100 nm ZnO nanoparticles, 40-60 nm ZnO nanoparticles, bulk ZnO, and hydro-priming). The second factor was the priming duration (6, 12, and 24 h), and the third factor was the level of salinity stress (0, 20, 40, and 80 mM NaCl). Key indicators related to germination quality and seedling growth were subsequently assessed.
Results: Salinity stress significantly affected the germination percentage, germination rate, mean germination time, mean daily germination, and seedling vigor weight index. The respective values at 0 and 80 mM NaCl were 98.7% vs. 68.4%, 15.6 vs. 10.4 germinated seeds per day, 2.11 vs. 2.39 days, 12.3 vs. 8.56 seeds per day, and 5466 vs. 1853. Salinity stress also significantly increased the root-to-shoot length ratio. Seed priming with 1-100 nm ZnO nanoparticles significantly increased seedling dry weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and consequently, the seedling vigor index compared to other zinc forms and hydro-priming. Furthermore, this treatment reduced the percentage of abnormal seedlings to 20.7% under 80 mM NaCl. Priming durations of 12 and 24 h were superior to 6 h, resulting in a significant increase in seedling and shoot length, seedling and shoot weight, and the seedling vigor length index.
Conclusions: Salinity stress had significant adverse effects on germination and seedling growth characteristics and increased the proportion of abnormal seedlings. However, seed priming exerted a more pronounced positive effect on improving seedling growth and reducing the number of abnormal seedlings. Among the priming treatments, ZnO nanoparticles (1-100 nm) with a priming duration of 12 h were the most effective in enhancing seedling growth and the seedling vigor index, providing clear guidance for future research and applications.
Highlights
Highlights
- Seed priming at a salinity level of 20 mM significantly alleviated the adverse effects of salinity on seedling growth parameters.
- Seed priming of chickpea with zinc nanoparticles (1 to 100 nm) was more effective than other seed priming methods in promoting seedling growth.
- A priming duration of 12 h was identified as the optimal treatment for maximizing seedling growth and vigor index.
Related Websites
Site Keywords
Seed Science and Technology, Seed Physiology, Seed Ecology, Modeling, Seed Health, Germination Characteristics, Seed Dormancy, Seed Ageing, Seed Storage, Seed PrimingVote
© 2026 CC BY-NC 4.0 | Iranian Journal of Seed Research
Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.