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Showing 136 results for Seed

Hamideh Javadi, Parvin Salehi Shanjani, Mohammad Dadmand, Masoumeh Ramazani Yeghaneh,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (2-2024)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Festuca species are forage grasses that are very important in terms of fodder supply and soil protection. The seeds of these plants have internal dormancy (physiological) and are unable to germinate easily. Therefore, they must be subjected to various treatments to germinate. In nature, this dormancy is broken during the cold period of winter (chilling). The purpose of this research is to investigate different methods of dormancy breaking in Festuca species for large-scale production and accelerate the germination process.
Materials and methods: In this research, three species of Festuca (Festuca arundinacea, F. ovina, and F. rubra) were subjected to different treatments of chilling (4°C, 14 days), osmo-priming with potassium nitrate (KNO3) 1.5% and gibberellic acid 150 and 200 ppm. After 14 days of germination test, various germination indices including percentage and rate of germination, mean germination time, seed vigor index, length of radicle, shoot and seedling, and the ratio of radicle to shoot length were calculated.
Results: The results of the analysis of variance showed a significant difference between species (except for germination percentage and root length traits) and treatments (for all traits). The interactions between the species and treatment were also significant for all traits (except for the length of radicle and seedling). Among the three species, the percentage of germination varied from 26.67 to 30.67% and the value of the germination rate varied from 1.92 to 3.31 n/d. The average time required for germination varied from 3.75 to 4.36 days and the seed vigor index varied from 26.74 to 43.02. The radicle length was between 37.22 and 45 mm and the shoot length was between 37.34 and 81.33 mm. Based on principal components analysis (PCA),  percentage and rate of germination, seed vigor index, and length of radicle and seedling were introduced as the most important factors in creating diversity in Festuca species. In determining the correlation between traits, a high correlation of 70% was observed between germination percentage, germination rate, and seed vigor index.
Conclusion: Among the three species, Festuca rubra was superior to the other two species by having the highest percentage and rate of germination, seed vigor, radical length, and the shortest time required for germination. Among the applied treatments, 1.5% potassium nitrate (KNO3) with chilling (4°C, for 14 days), had a positive effect on the percentage and rate of germination, radical length, and gibberellic acid (150 ppm) treatment had a positive effect on the length of shoot and seedling. The presence of high germination percentage and rate indicated higher seed vigor.

Highlights:
  1. Using potassium nitrate as a pre-treatment of seeds is better than watering seeds with potassium nitrate.
  2. The effect of osmo-priming (potassium nitrate 1.5%) on the germination characteristics of Festuca seeds is better than hormone priming (Gibberellic acid).
  3. Pre-treatment with 1.5% potassium nitrate increases the number of germinated seeds, while treatment with 150 ppm gibberellic acid increases seedling length in Festuca seeds.

Shahram Nowrouzieh, Elham Faghani, Ghorbanali Roshani,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (2-2024)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Currently, in most countries around the world, cotton seeds are used in delinted form. The fuzzy cotton seed often lead to slower germination, increased susceptibility of seeds and seedlings to pests and diseases, and disrupts mechanized cotton planting. Delinted cotton seeds have numerous advantages, including the possibility of mechanized planting, reduced seed consumption per unit area, faster germination in the soil, and more rapid field emergence of seedlings. Furthermore, delinted seeds are usually free from pathogenic agents, and the seed quality is improved with the availability of gravity separation and removal of broken, lightweight, and hollow seeds. One of the challenges faced by cotton seed delinting factories in Iran that employ acid-based methods is the reduction in the seed germination of the delinted seeds, which poses a challenge to the continued operation of these factories. This research was conducted to investigate the reasons behind the reduction in the viability cotton seeds in a delinting factory, to examine the physiological and mechanical characteristics of seeds at various stages of delinting in the factory.
Materials and methods: Seed sampling was carried out in a delinting factory in two replications. Traits such as seed vigor, germination percentage, ion leakage, seed density and volume, seed aging, level of abrasion and damage to the seed coat, and seed rupture force were studied. Finally, the data were analyzed using SAS, SPSS, and JMP software.
Results: The test results showed that seed sampling from both replications of the factory before centrifuge had the lowest germination percentage, leaf formation percentage, primary root length, primary stem length, dry weight of primary root, and dry weight of primary stem. These traits indicate that during the centrifugation stage, the seeds sustain significant mechanical damage, leading to a reduction in their vigor. The percentage of breakage, ion leakage, ageing, volume and density of seeds in the first repetition showed that these seeds had a lower quality compared to the seeds related to the second repetition. Therefore, different delinting stages in the factory have decreased the seed vigor. As the percentage of breakage and ion leakage increases, the seed rupture force declines non-linearly. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that acid contact with the cotton seed and the centrifugation process caused more mechanical damage to the seeds, leading to a significant reduction in seed rupture force.
Conclusion: The accuracy of operations at all stages of delinting significantly impacts seed quality. The centrifugation stage, the temperature of the dryer cylinders, and the acid neutralization process require greater attention and monitoring. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the duration or concentration of the acid used for delinting in the delinting factory to match the seed condition in order to minimize damage to the seeds.

Highlights:
  1. Delinting in the factory causes damage to the seeds, but proper management of temperature and acid concentration mitigates this damage.
  2. It is necessary to adjust the duration or concentration of the acid used for delinting in the factory to match the seed condition in order to minimize damage to the seeds.
  3. Managing the acid spray on the seeds and eliminating the centrifugation section in the delinting factory can prevent severe seed damage in this stage, and seed quality can be improved.
  4. Neutralizing the seeds at the end of the delinting process in the delinting factory results in an increase in the storage of delinted cottonseed.

Zeynab Savaedy, Abdol Mehdi Bakhshandeh, Seyed Ataollah Siadat, Amin Lotfi Jalal Abadi, Seyed Amir Moosavi,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (2-2024)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Deterioration reduces the quality of seeds. Oilseeds like Nigella are highly susceptible to seed aging. Seed priming enhances the quality of deteriorated seeds by improving germination indices and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This research aimed to investigate the extent of damage caused by accelerated aging treatment on the germination characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activity of Nigella seeds and the possibility of mitigating the adverse effects of aging through hormonal priming with cytokinin.
Materials and methods: This research was carried out in the form of a completely random basic design with four replications in the seed technology laboratory of Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2017. The treatments included hormonal priming with cytokinin at five levels (0 (control), 10, 20, 40, and 80 m/l) for two durations (12 and 24 hours), and aging under 100% relative humidity and a temperature of 45 °C at five levels (no aging, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h).
Results: The analysis of variance results indicated that germination indices were only influenced by main and two-way effects at the 5% and 1% probability levels, while the three-way interactions, including aging, hormone concentration, and priming duration, were significant for plant growth and longitudinal and weight indices at the 1% probability level. Furthermore, it was evident that the priming treatment mitigated the negative effects of aging, with the concentration of 10 milligrams per liter of cytokinin for a duration of 12 h having the most significant impact among the hormone concentrations used on the measured traits. The highest germination percentage (88%) and the lowest germination percentage (63.33%) were observed at concentrations of 10 and 80 mg/l, respectively. The use of cytokinin at optimal concentration improved catalase activity and protein levels. The results showed that in the control conditions, the activity of the catalase enzyme was 0.76 units per mg of protein and the amount of protein was 0.51 mg/g, which reached 0.97 units per mg of protein and 0.79 mg/g with seed priming.
Conclusion: Based on the results obtained from this research, aging led to a reduction in germination indices, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and seed protein content. The best treatment applied was cytokinin hormone priming for aged Nigella seeds at a concentration of 10 mg/l for 12 h. According to the results, the application of cytokinin at its optimal concentration (10 mg/l) improved the catalase enzyme activity and protein content. Therefore, it can be suggested that hormonal priming with cytokinin helps mitigate the adverse effects of aging in Nigella plants.

Highlights:
  1. The impact of hormonal priming with cytokinin at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/L on aged Nigella seeds was investigated.
  2. The use of a concentration of 10 mg/l of cytokinin hormone for 12 hours was introduced as the best treatment.
  3. Cytokinin was introduced as a significant hormone that enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes and physiological traits in aged Nigella seeds.

Ebrahim Gholamalipour Alamdari, Meisam Habibi, Mohammad Hadi Masoumi, Maral Babayani, Ali Asghar Saravani,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (2-2024)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: In agricultural systems, several environmental stresses can remarkably alter the growth, physiological, and biochemical responses of plants under stress. One of these factors is the biochemical reactions between plants along with the production of secondary compounds. Allelochemicals mainly have defence and cell wall ligninization roles in plants and do not directly play a role in the growth processes of plants. Thus, an experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of allelopathic stress of Hypericum perforatum on the germination, physiological, biochemical, and antioxidant activity characteristics of green pea, the benchmark plant sensitive to allelochemicals.
Materials and methods: The treatments included different concentrations of H. perforatum at 11 levels (i.e., 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100% of the aqueous extract). This research was carried out as a completely randomized design with three replications at the weed science laboratory of Gonbad Kavous University in 2023.
Results: The results of this study showed that one of the factors influencing the physiological, and biochemical characteristics of green pea is the concentration of the H. perforatum extract. In most cases, the percentage and rate of green pea germination, radicle and plumule length, and dry weight of radicle and plumule decreased with increased concentration of aqueous extract compared to the control, so that the greatest reduction in these characteristics was observed in 100% of H. perforatum extract. In contrast, the content of compatible osmolytes such as proline and soluble sugars, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, and antioxidant activity of green pea roots and plumules increased significantly in all studied treatments, with the highest increase in these characteristics observed at the concentration of 100% of H. perforatum aqueous extract. In general, the decrease in the dry weight of green pea seedlings due to the increase in the concentration of the aqueous extract of H. perforatum, despite the relative increase in the content of physiological and biochemical traits, indicates the high intensity of allelopathic stress of H. perforatum extract and their insufficiency, which leads to cytotoxicity against oxidative stress.
Conclusion: Considering the heterotoxicity effect of H. perforatum on green pea sensitive to allelochemicals and its distribution in gardens, barren lands, and wheat and corn fields, the possible effect of their residues in the next planting and even in case of presence in mixed cultivation should be considered.

Highlights:
  1. Aqueous extract obtained from the H. perforatum drastically reduces the germination and seedling growth of green peas.
  2. The difference in the effect of the aqueous extract of H. perforatum on green pea, the benchmark plant sensitive to allelochemicals, depends on their concentration threshold.
  3. The high intensity of allelopathic stress of H. perforatum extract and insufficient non-enzymatic antioxidants lead to oxidative stress.

Haniyeh Saadat, Mohammad Sedghi,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (9-2024)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Salinity is the most significant environmental stress that limits plant productivity by affecting morphology, physiology, and biochemistry of plants, especially in semi-arid and arid regions. Salinity disrupts and eventually delays seedling growth by delaying seed germination and reducing the germination rate. Seed priming stands out as a quick, easy, low-cost, and effective strategy for improving germination, seedling growth parameters, and overall plant defense against abiotic stresses in many crops. It is defined as the pre-sowing seed treatment during which seeds are immersed in water or chemical solutions and are dry until further use. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of priming with sodium nitroprusside on germination indices and biochemical traits in rice seedlings under salinity stress.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted as a factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replications at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2023. Experimental treatments included four salinity levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM) and three levels of sodium nitroprusside (0, 40, and 80 µM).
Results: The results showed that salinity reduced germination and growth indicators including mean daily germination (MDG), germination coefficient (GC), allometric coefficient (AC), radicle length (RL), pedicel length (PL) and seedling length (SL), as well as radicle and pedicel fresh and dry weight (RFW, PFW, RDW and PDW), but seed pretreatment with different levels of sodium nitroprusside, especially the level of 80 µM, improved these traits. Salinity reduced the seedling moisture percentage (SMP), so that the highest SMP (70.13%) was observed in the control treatment. The highest daily germination rate (DGR) and malondialdehyde content (MDA) were observed at a salinity of 150 mM. Priming decreased DGS and MDA, so that the lowest DGS (0.08) and MDA (0.159 mM g-1 FW) were obtained in priming with 80 μM sodium nitroprusside. Also, salinity decreased the activity of the α-amylase enzyme, so the lowest α-amylase activity (7.93 mg g-1 FW seed) was obtained in the control (distilled water) and at a salinity of 150 mM.
Conclusions: The results showed that seed treatment with sodium nitroprusside at 80 µM is the most effective method to improve rice germination and biochemical traits under salinity stress. It can reduce the harmful effects of salinity on some traits in rice seedlings and improve seedling growth.

Highlights:
  1. Seed priming using sodium nitroprusside improved the germination indices of rice seeds under salinity.
  2. Priming with sodium nitroprusside decreased MDA content and increased α-amylase activity.
  3. The concentration of 80 µM sodium nitroprusside showed a better effect on germination indices and biochemical characteristics.


Rozita Kabiri, Mohadeseh Shamsaddin Saied, Babak Hasanzadeh Tajarogh,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (9-2024)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Growth, development, and ultimately production of plants are affected by several environmental factors. Drought and salinity are major environmental stresses that have irreparable effects on all stages of germination, plant growth, and the structure and activity of organs. The germination stage and seedling establishment are more sensitive to osmotic and salinity stresses, so it is important to evaluate the germination indices under stress conditions for plant cultivation in dry and saline environments.
Materials and Methods: To investigate the effect of different levels of osmotic and salinity on germination and early growth of camelina (Camelina sativa L.), two experiments were conducted separately in a completely randomized design in the laboratory of Bardsir Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2023. In the first experiment, polyethylene glycol solution (PEG 6000) at -0.2, -0.4, and -0.6 MPa levels was applied to generate the osmotic potential. In the second experiment, NaCl at 50, 100, and 150 mM concentrations was used. In both experiments, distilled water was used to create zero stress (control).
Results: The results showed that mild osmotic (-0.2 MPa) and salinity (50 mM) stresses had no significant adverse effect on seedling establishment. However, increased intensity of osmotic and salinity stresses significantly reduced germination percentage and rate, seedling vigor length index, seedling dry weight, radicle length and dry weight, and plumule length and dry weight, so that drought stress at -0.6 MPa reduced the length and dry weight of the root and the length and dry weight of the plumule by approximately 40.40%, 57.4%, 49.2%, and 53.3% compared with the control, respectively. The highest level of salinity stress (150 mM) caused a decrease of 37.8%, 56.8%, 45.3%, and 55.4% in the length and dry weight of the root and the length and dry weight of the plumule compared with the control, respectively. An increment of MDA content, soluble carbohydrates, and the amount of free amino acids was observed at moderate (-0.4 MPa) and severe (-0.6 MPa) osmotic stress and 100 and 150 mM salinity stress levels.
Conclusions: Since camelina is a new plant in Iran, evaluating the response of this plant to different levels of osmotic and salinity stress during germination and early growth stages of the seedling provides the possibility of its cultivation and development in the dry lands of different regions of the country. It seems that mild drought (-0.2 MPa) and salinity (50 mM) stresses did not have a significant adverse effect on camelina germination indicators, but if the stress level exceeds the plant's tolerance range, it leads to decreased germination traits. Recommending the cultivation of this species requires studying its stability, compatibility, and agroecological characteristics.

Highlights:
  1. Germination characteristics and initial growth of camelina seedlings were investigated under drought and salinity stress conditions.
  2. The tolerance threshold of camelina seedlings was evaluated to different water potentials and salinity stress.
  3. The sensitivity of germination components to salinity stress was higher than that of osmotic stress.

Gilla Nazari, Mohammad Sedghi, Raouf Seyed Sharifi,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (9-2024)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Germination and seedling growth are one of the most important stages of plant growth, which determine the degree of success of agricultural systems in production. Seed deterioration due to storage conditions is a challenge that results in diminished germinability poor seedling establishment, the loss of seed vigor, and finally seed mortality. Thus, it is necessary to use methods to increase seed germinability and enhance seedling establishment. The use of plant hormones is one of the methods that can increase seed germinability and optimal plant growth under seed deterioration conditions. Seed priming with plant hormones is among simple and cheap methods to improve seed germination, accelerate seedling growth and establishment, germination uniformity, and production of vigorous seedlings. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the most effective pretreatments of growth hormones to improve the germination and seedling establishment characteristics of deteriorated triticale seeds.
Materials and Methods: To examine the effect of priming on germination indices and some biochemical traits of deteriorated triticale seeds, a factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with three replications at the Laboratory of Seed Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2023. Treatments included seed deterioration (5%, 15%, and 25%) and priming (no prime, distilled water, cytokinin, spermidine, salicylic acid, and auxin).
Results: The results showed that seed deterioration reduced the germination percentage. Priming reduced the effect of seed deterioration and improved the germination percentage by 36.9%. As seed deterioration increased, radicle length, seedling length, vigor index, protein content, and protease activity decreased, whereas priming mitigated the effect of seed deterioration on these traits. At the lowest level of seed deterioration (25%), priming with auxin increased radicle length, plumule length, protease activity, and seedling length vigor index by 72.07, 62.06, 73.27, and 77.06, respectively, compared with no priming.
Conclusions: In general, it seems that triticale seed priming with auxin can invigorate deteriorated seeds and increase germination and seedling production uniformity.

Highlights:
  1. Auxin pretreatment had the greatest effect on improving the quality and germination characteristics of deteriorated triticale seeds.
  2. Effects of using growth regulators pretreatment were investigated in deteriorated triticale seeds.

Fatemeh Vafaee, Hamidreza Nooryazdan, Rahmatolah Karimizadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (9-2024)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Drought stress in dryland wheat cultivation, where the plant solely relies on rainwater, can have a detrimental effect on plant growth. Given the lengthy duration of breeding projects, identifying stress-tolerant breeding lines at the germination stage can significantly reduce the time and cost of dryland wheat breeding programs for developing drought-resistant varieties. Identifying the stress tolerance of unreleased lines through laboratory simulation of drought stress is among novel methods to aid in selecting drought-tolerant varieties in the final stages. Moreover, the germination stage is crucial for plant establishment. This stage is critical for plant growth and development and can significantly impact bread wheat yield in case tolerant lines are available.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted to investigate the germination characteristics of 11 advanced dryland bread wheat lines at four osmotic potential levels (-2, -4, -6, and -8 bars) induced by polyethylene glycol 6000 along with a control (for a total of five levels), under laboratory (controlled) conditions at Persian Gulf University. The investigation was performed as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Traits in this experiment including germination percentage, germination rate, growth rates of radicles and plumules, dry weight and length of radicle and plumule, seed vigor indices I and II, seedling length, and allometric coefficient were measured.
Results: The mean of all traits decreased with increasing stress levels. Results of ANOVA showed a significant interaction at the 1% level between the lines and drought stress treatments. Therefore, physical slicing analysis was conducted at each stress level to compare the lines. The response of the lines to different traits was of an ordinal interaction type. As drought stress levels increased, germination percentage and rate, radicle and plumule growth rates, and seedling length decreased. Overall, lines 3 and 4 exhibited the highest germination percentage (58.86) and rate (3.60 seeds per day), as well as radicle (0.85 cm per day) and plumule rates (0.70 cm per day), and radicle (8.83 cm) and seedling (7.12 cm) length.
Conclusions: The response of the lines to different osmotic stress levels varied in terms of various traits. Based on the traits evaluated, lines 3 and 4 exhibited superior drought stress tolerance. These lines can be utilized in future breeding programs.

Highlights:
  1. Evaluating and screening wheat breeding lines for drought tolerance was performed by simulating stress conditions in the laboratory and comparing morphological traits in early plant growth stages.
  2. The response of the lines to similar levels of drought stress was heterogeneous, and physical slicing analysis based on each stress level revealed an ordinal interaction between stress and line levels.

Gholamreza Zare, Ali Moradi, Alireza Khoshroo, Sayed Saeed Mohtasebi,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: This study investigated the effects of storage temperature, humidity, and storage duration on the germination indices of German chamomile seeds. Given the significant impact of storage conditions on seed quality, the primary objective was to standardize optimal storage methods for this medicinal plant. The research aimed to evaluate the influence of seed moisture content, storage temperature, and storage periods on the germination performance of German chamomile seeds.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted in 2019 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University. It was designed as a split-split plot arrangement within a completely randomized design, with four storage temperature levels (15, 25, 35, and 45°C), three seed moisture content levels (8, 12, and 16%), and six storage durations (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days). Initial seed moisture content was measured, and the desired moisture levels were adjusted using specific formulas. Germination tests and related indices, such as germination percentage and germination rate, were conducted. Data were analyzed using SAS software.
Results: The results from the mean comparison of the interaction between storage duration and seed moisture content at temperatures of 15, 25, 35, and 45°C revealed that germination percentage significantly decreased as storage duration increased. The lowest germination percentage was observed after 180 days of storage at 16% seed moisture content. Similarly, germination rate decreased significantly across all temperatures with prolonged storage. Seedling growth analysis under different storage conditions showed a significant reduction in root, shoot, and seedling length at all temperatures as storage duration increased. The shortest lengths of these components were observed after 180 days of storage at 16% seed moisture content, attributed to seed aging and reduced germination capacity. Increasing seed moisture content from 8% to 12% resulted in an average decrease of 9% in germination percentage and 5% in germination rate. Further increasing moisture content from 8% to 16% led to a more substantial average reduction of 73% in germination percentage and 72% in germination rate. Raising storage temperature from 15°C to 25°C, 35°C, and 45°C resulted in average decreases in germination percentage of 9%, 25%, and 42%, respectively. Similarly, germination rate decreased by 14%, 33%, and 43% at this respective temperature.
Conclusions: Overall, the results indicate a decline in the germination indices of German chamomile seeds with increasing seed moisture content and storage temperature. The optimal seed moisture content of 8% and a storage temperature of 15°C were identified as the most suitable conditions for maintaining seed quality.

Highlights:
  1. The optimal storage environment for German chamomile seeds was determined.
  2. The effects of inappropriate storage conditions on the physiological traits of German chamomile seeds were examined.

Reza Imam Dost , Davar Molazem, Reza Taghizadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), as one of the world's most important cereals, serves as a staple food for more than one-third of the global population. This strategic crop plays a key role in the economies of many countries. Seed priming is a biotechnological tool and a simple, practical, effective, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient approach to enhancing a plant's tolerance to various environmental stresses and improving seed germination. This study was designed and conducted to investigate the germination and physiological responses of two rice cultivars under varying intensities and durations of electromagnetic field exposures.
Materials and Methods: In 2023, an experiment was conducted as a factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design at Islamic Azad University, Astara Branch, investigating the effects of electromagnetic field intensity (at four levels: 0, 50, 100, and 150 mT), exposure time (at three levels: 10, 50, and 100 minutes), and two rice cultivars (Tarom and Hashemi) with three replications. Rice seeds were treated inside a plastic bag under magnetic fields of varying intensities and durations. For the second phase of the experiment, plastic trays were used for seedling establishment, and healthy seedlings were then transferred to plastic pots filled with sand. After 25 days, the plants were evaluated for the desired traits.
Results: The analysis of variance results indicated that the effects of the magnetic field, time, cultivar, and their interactions were significant for most traits. The electromagnetic field at 100 mT for 50 minutes led to an increase in germination percentage compared to the control. In contrast, the treatment of 150 mT for 100 minutes caused a significant reduction in all germination-related traits. The highest values were observed under the 100 mT for 50-minute treatment, including germination percentage (98.80%), germination rate (12.533 seeds per day), radicle length (68.133 mm), plumule length (47.467 mm), seedling length (115.6 mm), radicle dry weight (0.715 mg), plumule dry weight (2.023 mg), seedling dry weight (2.738 mg), seedling length vigor index (11,422.96), seedling weight vigor index (270.6), chlorophyll-a (0.846 mg per gram fresh weight), chlorophyll-b (0.96 mg per gram fresh weight), and carotenoids (0.44 mg per gram fresh weight).
Conclusion: The electromagnetic field had a significant effect on germination-related traits and physiological characteristics, including germination percentage, germination rate, and chlorophyll content, leading to an increase in these indices. In the present study, the 100 mT treatment for 50 minutes improved seedling vigor in terms of both length and weight. Based on these findings, magnetopriming within the studied treatment range enhances germination and improves rice plant establishment by increasing chlorophyll levels.

Highlights:
  1. The effect of the magnetic field on the germination and physiological characteristics of rice seeds was investigated.
  2. Seed priming at 100 mT for 50 minutes increased chlorophyll and carotenoid content.

Rayhaneh Amooaghaie, Abolfazl Khodadadi,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Gundelia tournefortii (L.) is a species of Irano-Turanian origin belonging to the Asteraceae family. The strongly lignified disseminule from the secondary capitulum on seeds causes certain challenges for the propagation of this plant. This study aimed to evaluate the best methods for breaking seed dormancy to enable large-scale production of Gundelia tournefortii (L.).
Materials and Methods: Initially, the interactive effects of various scarification methods (hot water, hydrochloric acid, scalpel, and sandpaper) with cold stratification (0, 1, 2, and 3 weeks) or GA3 (0, 250, 500, and 1000 ppm) on seed dormancy breaking were investigated in two separate factorial experiments. Subsequently, the combined effect of GA3 and cold stratification on seed dormancy breaking of seeds scarified with a scalpel was assessed in a third experiment.
Results: The results indicated that all scarification methods significantly increased the emergence percentage and growth parameters of plantlets. Cold stratification and GA3 treatments enhanced these attributes more effectively in plantlets grown from seeds scarified with a scalpel or sandpaper compared to seeds treated with acid or hot water. In the first experiment, the highest emergence percentage (77%) was achieved from seeds scarified with a scalpel combined with 3 weeks of cold stratification. In the second experiment, the maximum emergence percentage (77%), plantlet length (17 cm), and the minimum mean emergence time (11 days) were obtained from seeds scarified with a scalpel and treated with 500 ppm GA3. The results of the third experiment showed that the application of GA3 reduced the required duration of cold stratification by approximately 1 week to achieve the maximum emergence percentage, dry weight of plantlets, and the minimum mean emergence time.
Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that Gundelia tournefortii (L.) seeds exhibit a combination of physical and non-deep physiological dormancy. The highest emergence percentage (81.5%) and the lowest mean emergence time (8 days) can be achieved through scarification with a scalpel followed by cold stratification or GA3 treatment.

Highlights:
  1. The most significant effect on dormancy breaking was achieved through scarification, particularly with a scalpel, which resulted in 60% emergence.
  2. There was a significant interaction between various scarification methods and levels of cold stratification or GA3 concentrations.
  3. Applying cold stratification levels or GA3 concentrations to non-scarified seeds had little to no effect on emergence percentage and plant growth.


Marzieh Hasani, Dr Mahmoud Reza Tadayon, Dr Majid Olia,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Germination and seedling emergence are among the most critical developmental stages in crop plants, significantly influencing subsequent growth stages in the field. These traits are directly linked to seed vigor and potential. The application of organic and biofertilizers can enhance seed and seedling vigor, enabling them to withstand environmental stresses such as drought and aridity. To investigate this, the effects of drought stress and fertilizer treatments on germination indices of two plant species—red bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban)—were examined.
Materials and methods: The seeds of jicama and red bean (Goli variety) were subjected to four levels of drought stress (0, -6, -9, and -12 bar) and four fertilizer treatments: control (no fertilizer), optimal biological fertilizer (EM), optimal organic vinasse fertilizer, and a combination of biological and organic fertilizers (at optimal levels). The experiment was conducted as a factorial design in a completely randomized arrangement with three replications at the University of Shahrekord during the 2022-2023 growing season.
Results: The results revealed that the triple interaction of plant species, fertilizer treatments, and drought stress had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on germination percentage, germination rate, seed vigor index, shoot and radicle length, as well as fresh and dry weights of shoots and radicles. Under non-stressed conditions, the jicama species treated with combined fertilizers exhibited the highest mean values for germination percentage (100%), germination rate (42.48 seeds/day), seed vigor index (8.55), shoot length (5.66 cm), shoot fresh weight (0.694 g), shoot dry weight (0.125 g), radicle fresh weight (0.772 g), and radicle dry weight (0.109 g). Under moderate drought stress (−9 bar), the mean radicle length of jicama treated with combined fertilizers was 6.333 cm.
Conclusion: In this study, the application of fertilizer treatments enhanced greater tolerance to water stress conditions and reduced water potential, while drought stress treatments led to a decline in the examined traits in both bean species. However, the jicama species demonstrated superior drought stress tolerance compared to the red bean, making it a more suitable option for cultivation under drought stress conditions

Highlights:
  1. The novelty of jicama in Iran and the lack of information on the germination and growth characteristics of this plant.
  2. Due to the presence of rotenone in jicama seeds, there was no information on how this compound interacts with fertilizer treatments to affect seed germination traits—an aspect investigated in this study.
  3. Since jicama is a multipurpose plant with both seed and tuber uses, there was no available data on how its germination traits compare to those of a similar plant, such as beans.

Mohammad Reza Mirzaei,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: One of the most important factors in achieving optimal root yield of sugar beet at the time of harvest is proper plant density due to the high field emergence and subsequent seedling growth through the use quality seeds. Of the determining traits the vigor and quality of sugar beet seeds are different seedling traits.
Materials and Methods: For this purpose, the germination vigor and seedling growth rate in laboratory conditions by measuring the traits of maximum germination, hypocotyl length, radicle length, fresh and dry weight of seedling in 10 single cross hybrids along with the male parent produced in three locations was used. Also, the correlation of the mentioned traits with seedling emergence traits in the greenhouse and the chemical traits of sugar beet seed was studied.
Results: The results showed that seedling traits, which are represents trait of the seed vigor, are determined by two factors, seed production environment and genetics. The correlation coefficients between seedling traits in the laboratory with seedling emergence traits in the greenhouse and seed electrical conductivity showed that genotypes with low electrical conductivity and percentage of soluble solids on the pericarp of sugar beet seeds, germinated faster in greenhouse conditions and mean emergence time was decreased. Therefore, high level of electrical conductivity of sugar beet seed pericarp was associated with low seed vigor.Also, significant correlation was observed seedling emergence rate and mean seedling emergence time in greenhouse with hypocotyl length in the laboratory positive (+0.91**) and negative (-0.82**), respectively. It can be concluded that the genotypes with longer hypocotyl length in the laboratory resulted in faster seedling emergence rate in the greenhouse. Subsequently, single crosses such as MS KWS * OT 231 with greater root length (8.49 cm), seedling length (14.66 cm), and the ratio root length to hypocotyl (1.37) in laboratory conditions, increased the mean dry weight of shoot (1.89 mg) and SVI (8.26) in the greenhouse compared to the single crosses others were accompanied.
Conclusions: Therefore, it seems that seedling traits and the chemical characteristics of sugar beet seeds to predict the emergence of seedlings in greenhouse and perhaps in the field are recommended. However, in order to accurate validation and evaluation, it is recommended that the aforementioned experiment be conducted under field conditions.

Highlights:
  1. There were differences between the genotypes in terms of seed characteristics and the maternal environment in which the seeds were grown.
  2. Poor vigor and seed performance can reduce the percentage of seedling emergence potential as well as the rate and uniformity of seedling emergence compared to high vigor seeds.
  3. Seedling traits in sugar beet are traits of the seed vigor that are influenced by the sugar beet seed production environment and genetics.

Mehrab Yadegari,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Salvia sp. from Lamiaceae family is one of the important medicinal and pasture plants that have many uses in various medicinal and food industries. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of different hormonal treatments on germination in three species of Salvia including S. officinalis, S. leriifolia, and S. syriaca under different wet stratification periods.
Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in factorial layout experiment in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications and 2 separate repetitions in Herbal Research Institute, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University in 2024. Experimental treatments included wet chilling (0, 10, 20, 30 day in 4°C and RH=45%)  as first factor (A1-A4) and hormones inclusive (gibberellic acid (120ppm), benzyl adenine (10-4 M), kinetin (10-4 M), gibberellic acid (120 ppm) + benzyl adenine (10-4 M), gibberellic acid (120 ppm) + kinetin (10-4 M), benzyl adenine (10-4 M) + kinetin (10-4 M), gibberellic acid (120 ppm) + benzyl adenine (10-4 M)+ kinetin (10-4 M) and control) as second factor (B1-B8). Biochemical indices such as hydrogen peroxide, α-amylase and beta-1,3glucanase and germination indices such as dry weight of seedlings, length of seedlings, germination percentage, mean of germination time, seed vigour, and germination uniformity were measured.
Results: The use of wet chilling and hormonal treatments had significant effectiveness on germination characters. Gibberellic acid in the most of measured characters had beneficial and increasing effects. The most and lowest important measured germination characteristics and decreased time needed for germination. The highest and lowest amounts for germination characteristics such as seedling length (5.56-2.1 cm), seed vigor (5.1-0.94), seedling dry weight (45.35-19.84 mg), germination percentage (91.74-38.22), germination uniformity (21.03-3.57 day) and biochemical characters such as content of α-amylase (12.94-2.6 mM/g FW of seed), beta-1, 3 glucanase (10.79-2.83 mM/g FW of seed) and hydrogen peroxide (0.69-0.21 mM/g FW of seed) were recorded under wet chilling treatment for 20 day + gibberellic acid (120 ppm) + benzyl adenine (10-4 M) + kinetin (10-4 M) and treatment of without wet chilling + without hormonal treatment, respectively. Also, increasing wet chilling treatment duration, increased some evaluated characteristics, but most of them reached the highest values after 20 days wet chilling treatment. The amounts of evaluated characters in this treatment improved more than 100% in comparison to control seeds. It can be concluded that wet chilling (20 day) along with the use of gibberellic acid, benzyl adenine, and kinetin resulted in improved seed germination indices of Salvia spp. Results showed that in most of measured characteristics, the Salvia species have various amounts of biochemical and germination indices. Finally, the treatment of wet chilling (20 day) and use of gibberellic acid, benzyl adenine, and kinetin hormones, suggest to obtain of the best germination indices in seeds of Salvia spp. Germination percentage and most of the other measured characters in this research in S. officinalis were more than S. syriaca, and S. leriifolia, respectively.
Conclusion: Results showed that the most of measured characteristics of Salvia species have various amounts of biochemical and germination indices. Generally, wet chilling (20 day) with the use of gibberellic acid, benzyl adenine, and kinetin suggest to best seed germination of Salvia spp.

Highlights:
  1. Study the various periods of wet chilling and hormonal treatments on biochemical and germination indices of Salvia officinalis, S. leriifolia, S. syriaca.
Wet chilling (20 day) with the use of gibberellic acid, benzyl adenine, and kinetin suggest to best seed germination of Salvia spp.

Kamran Gharehbeygi Tavabea, Hamidreza Balouchi, Mohsen Movahhedi Dehnavi, Ali Moradi, Fatemeh Ebrahimi,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Poor seedling vigor is one of the major challenges in agriculture, as it reduces seed germination capacity and seedling establishment, directly impacting plant establishment and yield. The use of seed priming methods with chemicals and growth regulators can serve as an effective strategy to enhance seedling vigor and improve biochemical traits and seed germination. In this study, the enhancement of sweet corn seedling vigor through priming with ellagic acid, gibberellin, and potassium nitrate was investigated under accelerated aging conditions.
Materials and Methods: A factorial experiment was conducted in the Seed Technology Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture at Yasouj University in 2024, based on a completely randomized design with two factors. The first factor was accelerated seed aging at two levels (aged and non-aged), and the second factor was seed priming at eight levels (no prime, hydropriming, ellagic acid at two concentrations (25 and 100 mg/l), gibberellin at two concentrations (50 and 150 mg/l), and potassium nitrate at two concentrations (15 and 60 mg/l)). Biochemical traits and seed germination characteristics were measured ultimately.
Results: The findings of this study revealed that seed deterioration significantly reduced germination characteristics, including germination percentage and rate, shoot length, root length, and seedling vigor index (length and weight). Additionally, biochemical indices such as soluble sugar content and α-amylase enzyme activity were negatively affected by aging. On the other hand, seed deterioration increased proline content, malondialdehyde levels, and peroxidase enzyme activity, indicating heightened oxidative stress under aging conditions. Priming of deterioration seeds with ellagic acid, gibberellin, and potassium nitrate positively influenced germination characteristics and biochemical indices. Specifically, concentrations of 100 mg/l ellagic acid, 150 mg/l gibberellin, and 15 mg/l potassium nitrate were the most effective pretreatments.
Conclusion: The results of this research demonstrated that pretreatment of deteriorated Basin sweet corn seeds with ellagic acid, gibberellin, and potassium nitrate significantly improved germination and biochemical indices. These treatments mitigated the negative effects of seed aging, enhancing seedling vigor and establishment. Therefore, these priming can be recommended as effective methods to improve the quality of Basin sweet corn seeds under various agricultural conditions.

Highlights:
  1. Seed deterioration leads to an increase in biochemical indicators such as seed proline content, peroxidase enzyme activity, and seed malondialdehyde content.
  2. The vigor of Basin sweet corn seeds is improved through pretreatment with gibberellin and ellagic acid.
  3. The effect of priming before and after artificial deterioration on germination and seed vigor of sweet corn cultivar Basin was compared and investigated.

Ali Bashirzadeh, Seyed Ebrahim Kamali, Abas Sasanian,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract

Extended abstract

Introduction: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereals in the world and the main source of nutrition for more than one-third of the world's population. Compared to other grains, rice is more sensitive to low-temperature stress. Seed priming is a biotechnological tool and a simple, practical, effective, environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to improve plant tolerance to various environmental stresses and increase seed germination. This study was designed and conducted with the aim of investigating the germination and physiological responses of of rice seeds under different intensities and durations of electromagnetic fields and temperature stress.

Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted in 2024 as a factorial in a completely randomized design with the variables of electromagnetic field intensity at four levels, and duration at two levels, and temperature stress at three levels on Hashemi rice cultivar, with three replications, at Islamic Azad University, Astara Branch. Rice seeds were treated in a plastic bag under magnetic fields with intensities of (0, 50, 100, and 150 mT), durations of (30 and 60 minutes), and three levels of temperature stress (10, 15, and 25°C). A plastic tray was used for the second experiment and seedling establishment. Healthy seedlings were transferred to plastic pots containing sand. After 25 days, they were used to measure the desired traits.

Results: Results of the analysis of variance showed that magnetic field intensity, temperature stress, duration, and their interactions had significant effects on most of the evaluated traits. Temperature stress led to a significant increase in proline and malondialdehyde contents and a decrease in chlorophyll a and b. The lowest proline (1.017 µmol g⁻¹ fresh weight) and malondialdehyde (4.403 mmol g⁻¹ fresh weight) contents were observed at 25°C without magnetic field exposure. The highest germination percentage (98.95%), radicle length (69.617 mm), chlorophyll a (0.807 mg g⁻¹ fresh weight), and chlorophyll b (0.993 mg g⁻¹ fresh weight) were recorded under the treatment of 100 mT magnetic field at 25°C. Moreover, the highest germination rate (0.560 day⁻¹), shoot length (58.633 mm), seedling length (130.867 mm), radicle dry weight (3.25 mg), shoot dry weight (2.207 mg), seedling dry weight (5.457 mg), length seedling vigor index (13035.55), and weight seedling vigor index (543.528) were obtained at 100 mT, 25°C, and 30 minutes.

Conclusion: The effects of electromagnetic field treatment on germination traits and physiological parameters, including germination percentage, germination rate, and chlorophyll content, were significant, leading to improvements in these indices. The findings suggest the potential application of electromagnetic field treatment as a strategy to enhance seed germination and certain physiological traits under cold stress conditions.



Highlights:

  1. The effect of the magnetic field on germination and physiological traits of rice seeds under temperature stress was investigated.
  2. Seed priming with an intensity of 100 mT for 60 minutes under temperature stress of 10°C increased proline and malondialdehyde content.
  3. At a temperature stress of 10°C, an increase in field intensity significantly enhanced the germination percentage.


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