Iranian Journal of Seed Research

In order to investigate the effect of pretreatment of chitosan biological compounds on seeds of soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Williams) under salt stress conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted, adopting a completely randomized design with three replications at Shahed University in 2015. Factors examined included the combination of chitosan at three levels (0, 0.25 and 0.5 the weight-volume) and salinity at 4 levels (0, 5, 5.7 and 10 dS/m). The results showed that the interaction of chitosan and salinity had a significant impact on seed germination characteristics such as germination percentage, germination rate, mean germination time, normal seedling and physiological characteristics such as proline and soluble sugars of shoots. In contrast to salt stress increase of 30%, and an increase of 24 and 35% of proline and soluble sugars of the shoot, pretreatment of chitosan (0.25%) improves seedling germination characteristics of soybeans. Given the impact of the treatments of chitosan on seed germination and seedling growth of soybean, it is possible to introduce 0.25% W/V chitosan as a treatment to deal with conditions of salinity.
 

Extended abstract
Introduction: Crop rotations are practiced to eliminate the effect of monoculture, but the succeeding crop may be influenced by the phytotoxins released by the preceding crop. Among plants, Brassica species contain allelochemical compounds as glucosinolate that is, under special conditions, released to environment and affects seed germination and plant growth. Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) as a weed of 30 crops in 52 countries which has a series of allelopathic effects that prevent germination of other plants. Products of glucosinolate- like ionic thiocyanate (SCN-) inhibited the root or shoot growth of many crop species. Also volatile compounds like isoprenoid and benzenoid released from Brassica tissue degradation may suppress many crops growth. It was also found in many studies that allelochemicals, which inhibited the growth of some species at certain concentrations, might stimulate the growth of same or different species at lower concentrations. The present research was conducted to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract concentration of various mustard parts on barley seed germination and seedling growth.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the allelopathic effect of mustard in agro ecosystems, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was carried out in botany laboratory of agriculture faculty, Illam University in 2014. Experimental treatments included five concentrations of mustards foliage and root aqueous extract (0, 10, 30, 50, and 70 percent) that were studied at germination and early growth stage of barley (cv. Abidar) in two separate experiments. In the seed germination section, the effects of aqueous extract of mustard on germination rate and germination percentage of barley seed were measured. In the study of the effect of aqueous extract of mustard on barley seedlings, weight and length of root and shoot, leaf chlorophyll content, proline and soluble sugars content were measured.
Results: Results showed that the highest amount of barley seed germination percentage and germination rate (100 and 19.5, respectively) were observed in control and the lowest amount (40 and 9.5, respectively) belonged to mustard root aqueous treatment with 70 percent concentration. The most decrease in barley seedlings length and weight were observed at the highest concentration of aqueous extract. The amount of chlorophyll a decreased from 2.39 in control to 1.66 mg per fresh weight in 70 percent concentration of aqueous extract treatment. The highest amount of proline (66.8 μM per fresh weight) in barley foliage was observed in 70 percent aqueous extract treatment. The results from this study showed that mustard allelopathic effect may be a possible mechanism controlling the barley germination and early growth stage in agro ecosystems.
Conclusion: Generally, we were able to demonstrate short term auto toxicity and possible short-term allelopathy due to mustard has harmful effects on barley including reduced seed germination and emergence of barley seedling. Depending on the concentrations of Mustard extract, allelopathic activity will vary Mustard. Further investigations are also needed to determine the influence of cultivar variations, and to identify the active compounds involved in mustard auto toxicity and Allelopathy.
  
Highlights:
1-Mustards aqueous extract reduced seed germination percentage and plant growth in barley.
2-Mustards aqueous extract increased proline and soluble sugars in barley, but it reduced amount of chlorophyll in this plant.

1. Study of germination and biochemical properties of fenugreek seed aged under different level of osmotic potantials and temperatures.
2. In areas with a lower osmotic potential it is better to cultivate Fenugreek seed at temperatures below 20 °C.

1. Introduction of proper storage conditions and initial seed moisture in order to decrease fungal damage and soybean seed deterioration.
2. Determination of different fungal damages during the storage of soybean seeds.
3. Determination of relationship between the degree of soybean seed infection of storage fungi and the seed’s quality, its amount of protein and soluble sugars.

1. Seed priming using Chitosan improved Germination Indices of seed common bean under Salt Stress.
2. Priming with chitosan increased Proline and Polyphenol Oxidase Enzyme.
3. The concentration of 0.75 V/W of Chitosan revealed a better effect on germination indices and biochemical characteristics.
4. Priming with chitosan can be a suitable method to reduce the negative effects of salinity, increase germination indicators, and improve the biochemical characteristics of beans.