Iranian Journal of Seed Research

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.

Select the appropriate tree species and compatible with harsh environmental conditions, with a high survival rate and optimal growth, is very important in the principled forestation projects. Offering moisture - temperature - time seed germination model is one of the solutions to the prediction of seed germination patterns as in this study, germination behavior model in four replications of 50 seeds of Cupressus arizonica (dishes 11cm) on the incubator was examined by applying five levels of water stress (0, -0.5, -1, -1.5, -2 MPa) and temperature treatments (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 °C). The results showed that the optimum temperature (To) and the basic temperature (Tb) for germination is 19.23±0.5 and 6.54 ± 0.0 °C respectively, and amount of the hydro time constant (θ_H) for this species is 0.29±0.11. According to the results, temperature and water potential factors and their interaction affected significantly on time and percent germination. Value of the hydrothermal time model was determined by using θ_HT= [(Ψ-Ψ_{b (g)}) (T-T_b)] tough model that its rate was 126.3 MPa°C. d with 0.87 coefficients of determination.

In recent years the use of allopathic effects on weed management seems to have attracted many professionals. In order to investigate the effect of aqueous extracts of Yarrow (Achilla wilhelmsii L.) and Habek mint (Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds) medicinal plant on germination indices of plantain, two experiments were conducted in completely randomized design with three replications in 2014 in the laboratory of seed technology of Yasouj university. Treatments consisted of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% concentrations of aqueous extract of Yarrow and Habek mint aerial parts. The results showed that the extract of Yarrow and Habek mint aerial parts on germination percentage, root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight and seed vigor was significant. The maximum percentage and rate of germination have belonged to the control treatment (distilled water) and by decreasing the aqueous extract concentrations of each plant, the percentage and rate of germination increased. The minimum percentage and rate of germination have belonged to 100% concentration of aqueous extract that had no significant difference by 75% concentration. Finally, these results showed allelopathic effects of aqueous extract aerial parts of Yarrow and Habek mint, as a bio-herbicide on growth and germination of plantain.

Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, which seems necessary the review of its various features especially the improvement of reproduction in order to the development of vegetation and extraction of raw pharmaceutics materials. In order to study the effects of seed hardening on the quality of seeds harvested from different positions of inflorescence on the storability of pot marigold, an experiment conducted at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2011. Seeds hardened before planting with CaCl₂ 2% and distilled water. At harvest, the seeds collected from both inner and outer regions of the inflorescence from storage experiments in the laboratory. Harvested seeds stored for six months at 40°C. Then an experiment conducted as factorial based on a completely randomizes design with four replications at the laboratory. Results showed that the highest germination percentage (96%), rate (3.91 day^-1), radicle length (5.71 cm) and seed residual dry weight (0.061 g) were related to outer positioned seeds. The highest plumule length (4.79 cm) and seedling dry weight (0.016 g) obtained from outer seeds hardened with distilled water. In conclusion, for best stability results of pot marigold seeds, it is recommended to harden seeds before planting with water and harvest outer seeds from the inflorescence.

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Priming of seeds by magnetic fields (magneto priming) is proposed as an ecological, useful and low-priced method for improvement of seed germination and plant emergence. In order to evaluate the germination behavior of sesame seeds affected by magnetic fields, an experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with 22 treatments (non-exposure to magnetic fields (control) and 21 magneto priming treatments) with three replications at the college of agriculture, the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2014. the seed of sesame put into a plastic bag bulky and was treated with different intensity of magnetic fields (25, 50, 75 and 100 mT) for several times (10, 20, 30, 60 and 120 minutes). For assessment of germination traits of sesame under constant magnetic field conditions, magnetic tapes with three mT strength were used in each Petri dish throughout the experiment. Results showed that magnetic fields had no significant effects on final germination percentage and mean germination time and all magnetic treatments except for 75 mT at 60 minutes indicated reducing effects on germination percentage in comparison to control. Priming of seeds with magnetic fields in 50 mT strength for 20 minutes led to the increment of germination rate compared to control treatment but all levels of 100mT treatment caused a reduction in germination rate than control. The most radicle length, seedling length and seedling vigor length index belong to 75 mT at 60 minutes treatment and the most seedling dry weight and seedling vigor weight index related to 100 mT for 20 minutes treatment. Ranking of treatments showed that exposure of seeds for one hour in 75 mT and 10 minutes in 25 mT magnetic fields strength had the best outcomes.

Medicinal barberry plants, belong to Berberidaceae family. Seeds of barberry have long period dormancy. Therefore, overcome to seed dormancy and increasing germination rate of seeds due to different methods will be useful. In this regard, two separate experiments were designed. In the first experiment, effect of different levels of Gibberellic acid (0, 600 and 900 mg.l^-1 at 8˚C) and temperatures (25 (control), 10 and 5 °C at 50 days) in a factorial experiment based on the completely randomized design with three replications and in the second experiment, effect of different nutrition concentrations of MS medium (full strength MS, 1/2MS and 1/4 MS) in a completely randomized design with three replications on embryo culture of four native species of barberry (Berberis integrima, B. vulgaris, B. crataegina and B. orthootrys) were investigated. Based on the results obtained from the first experiment, chilling treated seeds showed the greatest effect (88%) on seed germination in comparison with gibberellic acid treatment. The results of the second experiment showed that the best MS concentration for embryo culture was full strength MS medium with%100 seed germination in four above mentioned barberry species after 2-3 days. In general, the best method to overcome barberry seed dormancy was an embryo culture in full-strength MS nutrition.

Seed priming is a method which is a quite effective method for improving germination and seedling establishment. Two separate experiments were performed to determine the best hydro and osmopriming treatments effects on canola‘s seed germination. The experiments were performed in seed technology laboratory of Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran, 2014. The first experiment contained three canola varieties seeds hydropriming (Okapi, Zarfam and Talayeh) using tap water over time interval 0. 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 20 and 24 hours. The second experiment included, tree canola cultivars in accompany with six concentrations of ZnS04 (0, 0.035, 0.1, 0.4, 1 and 4 gr.Lit^-1) over priming time interval of 0, 6, 10 14 and 18 hours. Both experiments were conducted as a factorial experiment in the context of completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The results revealed that the maximum germination percentage across all cultivars e.g. Okapi (99%), Zarfam (95%) and Talayeh (80%) is achieved at 10 hours hydropriming interval. Also concerning to germination rate, the best performance was observed for Talayeh cultivar at 10 hydropriming hour’s interval. The most vigor longitudinal and vigor weighted indices (1050.55 and 4.56) were observed in the Okapi cultivar in the fourth hydropriming level. The interaction between the cultivars, the concentration of ZnS04 and osmopriming time was significant for all characters except for shoot dry weight and vigor weighted Index. The three-way interaction showed that the highest shoots dry weight (0.11, 0.057 and 0.055) and also vigor weighted index observed in Okapi, Zarfam and Talayeh cultivar in 0.035 concentration of ZnS04 (gr.lit^-1) at the time was 10 hours, respectively. The results of this study showed that hydropriming and ZnS04 might improve the performance of rapeseed Cultivars seed.

One of the important strategies for increasing germination speed and germination percentage, to produce high-quality seedling and plant optimal establishment is seed priming. In order to evaluate reactions of a lentil seed to priming duration and concentrations of the applied material as priming, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was done in the agronomy laboratory of agriculture and Natural Resources College of Gonbad Kavous University in 2013. Factors included priming duration (4, 8 and 12 h) and various concentrations of the priming (hydro priming, hormonal priming by gibberellic acid and salicylic acid with the concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 ppm and non primed seeds). Results showed that the interaction effect of the concentrations and duration of the priming was significant on whole measured traits except the seed vigor index, germination percentage and seedling dry weight at 1% probability level. The lowest duration of germination (5, 10, 90 and 95%) obtained in the hydropriming treatment (2.72, 5.43 and 18.17 hour). The highest radicle fresh weight was observed in hydropriming treatment in three studied durations priming. In this study; the highest rate of germination obtained from GA_50ppm during 12 hours. GA_50ppm increased Germination percentage (98%). The greatest radicle length, shoot length and relative growth rate was obtained in the treatment of the gibberellic acid 100 ppm during 8 hours. All the average, gibberellic acid 100 ppm in 8h had an additive effect on the most of the measured traits of the lentil seed. Therefore, it can be introduced as the best mixture treatment.

The seed pretreatment with salicylic acid has an important role in improving seed germination and increasing plant resistance to environmental stresses. This study was performed to investigate the effect of salicylic acid on seed germination of Milk thistle under salinity and drought stress. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments consisted of 4 levels of salicylic acid (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/l) and four levels of each drought and salinity stress (0, - 4, - 6, - 8 Bar). The results showed an interaction effect between pretreatment with salicylic acid and drought and salinity stresses was significant at the 1 % level. On high salinity level (-8 Bar), seed germination percentage and rate, root and shoot length, fresh and seedling dry weight reduced significantly. The short length, fresh weight and percent germination reduced in all three levels of drought stress. Pretreatment with salicylic acid (200 and 300 mg/L) significantly reduce the harmful effects of drought and salinity stress (-6 and -8 Bar) on germination and seedling growth parameters of Milk thistle. The results of this experiment showed that seed treatment with salicylic acid can lead to increase the resistance of Milk thistle to salinity and drought stress in seed germination.

Germination is the first and the most stages for sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) growth; which it has especially sensitivity to environmental stresses such as alkalinity. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of seed pre-treatment methods on improving sainfoin tolerance to alkali stress in germination, early growth and its recovery as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design in College of Agriculture, Shiraz University in 2013. The first factor was four seed pre-treatment methods (seed with the pod, seed without the pod, pre-chilling of seed without pod and hydro-priming of seed without pod) and the second factor was five alkali stress levels (pH= 6.7, 7.9, 8.9, 9.8 and 10.7). Alkali stress levels were prepared using two neutral salts (Na₂SO₄ and NaCl) and two alkaline salts (NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃). The results showed that germination percentage was decreased as alkalinity (pH) levels were enhanced; so that, there were no germinated seeds in 9.8 and 10.7 treatments. Alkali stress reduced initial germination percentage (51.9%), final germination percentage (51.8%), plumule length (55.7%) and radicle length (72.2%). Under all alkalinity conditions, the lowest seed germination and seedling growth were observed in with pod seed, followed by pre-chilling treatments; while their highest were achieved in without pod seeds and hydro-priming treatments. The highest recovery was observed in without the pod, followed by hydro-primed seeds. Recovery was observed in Pre-chilled and with pod speeds up to 7.9 and in hydro-primed and without pod speeds up to 8.9.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid and gibberellic acid on germination characteristics and changes of proline, protein and catalase activity of Brassica napus seedlings under Cu(SO₄) stress. The experimental design was factorial with complete randomized design as a base design with 3 replications. The first factor was 4 levels of Cu(SO₄) stress (0, 10, 20 and 30 mg/l), and the second factor was 4 levels of priming with salicylic acid and gibberellic acid 50 mg/l, hydro prime and control (non-priming). Results showed that with increasing levels of Cu(SO₄) stress, germination characteristics (germination percentage, germination rate, normal seedling percentage, seedling length and seed vigor index) reduced and using of salicylic acid, gibberellic acid and hydro prime increased germination characteristics. The highest germination percentage (94%), germination rate (30.75 seed per day), normal seedling percentage (86.17%) seedling length (10.53 cm) and seed vigor index (9.08) were attained from priming by salicylic acid 50 ppm under non-stress conditions. Cu(SO₄) stress increased proline (35%) and catalase (37%) activity but reduced protein (65%) and priming increased proline, protein and catalase activity as compared to unprimed under stress and control conditions. In this study, using priming treatment salicylic acid had usually higher germination characteristics and catalase activity, total proteins and proline content in comparison with untreated or control seeds.

Efficient seed germination and rapid and uniform seedling emergence are important in commercial agriculture. Therefore, the use of strategies to improve germination and seedling establishment is necessary for increasing productivity. Hydropriming has been suggested as a simple pre-germination strategy to improve seed performance. In this study, the effects of different durations of hydropriming (10, 24, 48 and 72 hours) at different temperatures (10 and 25 ˚C) compared to unprimed seeds on the vigor and germination performance of five milk thistle accessions (Ahvaz, Sari, Esfahan, Dezfol and Gachsaran) were evaluated. An experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Germination performance was evaluated by final germination percentage, mean daily germination, mean germination time, the coefficient of germination, Timson's index, time to reach 50% the final germination percentage, germination value, coefficient of uniformity of germination, length and dry weight of seedlings and vigor index. The results show that germination capacity, germination rate and seedling vigor indexes increase significantly in hydro primed seeds at a temperature of 10˚C, whereas a decrease in hydro primed seeds at a temperature of 25˚C. Our results also show that the efficacy of hydropriming on seedling emergence and vigor traits depends on the priming duration and temperature. Hydropriming at 10˚C indicated the most effective on germination indicators and seedling vigor when compared to unprimed seeds. In addition, the comparison of germination and growth indicators in different durations of hydropriming in five milk thistle accessions indicated that the best duration of hydropriming for Ahvaz and Gajsaran is 72h, for Sari and Dezfol is 48 and 72h and for Esfahan is 10 and 24h. Therefore, the effect of hydropriming on germination performance and seedling vigor depends on plant association and hydropriming time and therefore, the selection of the best condition for hydropriming will improve the seed germinability and vigor.

In order to study the salt tolerance of three species, Coreopsis grandiflora, Celosia cristata and Matthiola incana in germination stage, an experiment was carried out based on a completely randomized design with three replications in Hormozgan University laboratory in 2015. Salinity levels, including 3, 6, 9, and 12 dS/m were applied by dilution seawater and distilled water used as a control. In this research, some seed germination indices such as germination percentage, germination rate and mean germination time, length, fresh and dry weight of seedling, seed vigor germination, were measured. Germination percentage, germination rate, seed vigor and dry weight of Coreopsis grandiflora seedling, were significantly different compared with control. In Celosia cristata, germination percent, seed vigor germination and seedling length didn’t show a significant difference in 9 dS/m salinity. In more characters, significant increases were seen with increasing salinity (9 dS/m). Germination percentage was decreased in comparisons with control (24.6%). In addition, the fresh and dry weight of seedling didn’t show a significant difference. The effect of salinity on seed germination of Matthiola incana in a different level of salinity was not significant. Although seed germination decreases gradually by salinity. In general, according to the observed results, Coreopsis grandiflora and Celosia cristata showed more tolerance to salt in comparison with Matthiola incana.

In order to study the responses of redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium L.) seed germination to temperature levels, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with four replications and twelve levels of temperature (0, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 ⁰C). Results showed that the effect of treatments on germination properties of redstem was significant, so the highest percentage of germination was achieved at 15⁰C and reduced with increasing temperature and was totally inhibited at 40^ºC. Based on a linear regression between germination rate and temperature, the cardinal temperatures: minimum (Tmin), optimum (To) and maximum (Tmax) were determined: 0, 15.20 and 37.18 ºC, respectively. A significant difference was not observed in plumule length at a range of 5-30°C that showed that it is less sensitive to temperature in comparison with root length. Highest wet-dry weight was achieved at 20 °C that was not different by 10, 12 and 20°C. Above results suggest that redstem failure could grow in a wide range of growing conditions, but prefers temperate zones. The results of this study are important to understanding thermal requirements and improvement of management strategies of redstem filaree.

There have been a few studies on removing the seed pods in annual medics, despite its importance. To investigate the role of pod removal on seed germination, seedling growth and antioxidant enzyme activities in annual medic (Medicago scutellata L.) Under salt stress, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with four replications in 2014. Salinity at 5 levels: 0.62 (tap water as a control), 3, 6, 9 and 12 dS m^-1 was applied using sodium chloride. The results showed that salt stress caused changes in the characteristics of germination, seedling growth and antioxidant enzyme activities. With increasing in salinity levels, rate and percentage of germination as well as root length, shoot length and seedling weight was significantly decreased. However, increasing salinity levels increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Germination and growth in seed without pod was greater than those in seeds with pod; however, there were no significant differences between antioxidant enzyme activity; except about ascorbic peroxide that was significantly higher in seed without a pod. In general, salinity reduced germination and growth and increased antioxidant enzyme activity of annual medics. The results showed that planting seeds without pod had advantages for better germination and growth, especially under saline conditions.

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.
 

The present study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of hormonal pretreatment on increasing germination and early growth of seedling in the Seed Technology Laboratory of Shahed University in 2015 as a factorial experiment, adopting a completely randomized design with 4 replications. The treatments were: 5 levels of IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) namely, zero, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/L and 5 levels of PBA (Tetrahydro pyranyl ­benzyl­ adenine), which were zero, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg/L. Analysis of variance showed that the use of the two hormones and their interactions had a significant effect on all traits such as seed germination, biomass, leaf relative water content and photosynthetic pigments. The highest percentage of germination (66.66%) was obtained in 1.5 mg/L IAA with 1 mg/L PBA. 0.5 mg/L PBA and in 0.1 mg/L IAA the longest shoot (1.28 and 1.17 cm, respectively) was obtained. Germination coefficient decreased by about 12.5% by increasing IAA from 0.1 to 1.5 mg/L. The greatest relative water content (42.73% and 37.38%) was obtained with 0.5 mg/L PBA and 1.5 mg/L IAA, respectively. Combination of IAA+PBA (0.1+0 mg/L) had a positive effect on both the length of the root and seedling. The high concentration of PBA and the lowest amount of IAA had similar results in terms of plant biomass. The highest plant biomass (4.33 mg) was obtained in seeds treated with 2 mg/L of cytokinin and 0.1 mg/L of auxin. Photosynthetic pigments were also affected by these two hormones through the IAA was more effective than PBA. The finding was that auxin and cytokinin increase germination and improve the morpho-physiological indicators and thus increase the yield of Stevia.
 

The percentage and rate of germination and proper establishment of seedlings are important factors contributing to higher yield per unit area. As an essential element for plant growth and development, Zinc plays a critical role in many metabolic processes, and also has a positive effect on seed germination. The effects of seed priming with concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 percent zinc sulfate on the partitioning of reserved materials in seed, the start of autotrophic seedling growth and the activity of alpha-amylase enzyme were investigated in wheat seeds, using a factorial experiment in the Research Farm of the University of Maragheh, Iran in 2014 on the basis of a completely randomized design with four replications. The results showed that zinc priming had a significant effect on all the parameters under investigation. Mean comparisons showed that an increase in zinc concentration- up to one percent- had a positive effect on the parameters investigated and increasing its concentration more than one percent caused a negative effect on the parameters touched upon above. The results of this study showed that the dry seed weight of the control and zinc sulfate (0.5%) treatment reached a stable level on day 21 and 20, respectively. In addition, in the control and 0.5% zinc sulfate, the total dry weight reached its initial weight (seed weight) on day 15 and 13, respectively. In addition, the growth of autotrophic plant began 10-12 days after soaking. The seeds treated with 5.0 and 1 percent zinc sulfate had more leaf area than the other treatments; this could be due to the earlier entrance of the seedlings produced by 5.0 and 1% zinc sulfate treatments into the autotrophic stage, as compared with other treatments. The results of variance analysis of the finishing seeds' reserved materials, initial kernel, root dry weight and shoot dry weight confirmed that 0.5 and 1% zinc sulfate treatments were better than other concentrations. The treatments of 0.5 and 1%  of zinc sulfate reached the autotrophic stage sooner than the control and 2% zinc sulfate treatment. Given the results of this study, 5.0 and 1% zinc sulfate treatments were selected for field cultivation.