Showing 2 results for Inoculation
Amin Salehi, Yaghoub Behzadi, Raham Mohtashami, Nasrin Niknam,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (3-2023)
Abstract
Extended abstract
Introduction: Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an annual oilseed crop that is adapted to arid and semi-arid regions and is considered an indigenous plant of Iran. Germination and seedling stage in the soil is one of the most important stages in the life cycle of plants. High germination rate and percentage increase the number of seedlings and the rapid successful establishment of seedlings in the soil also contributes to the suitable vegetative growth of the seedlings in later stages of life. Therefore, evaluation of germination indices and seedling establishment in the soil and finding more suitable conditions to improve these indices can have a direct impact on more successful plant cultivation. One of the methods used in this regard is priming.
Materials and Methods: In order to study the effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria and temperature treatments on germination indices and seedling growth of the safflower, this investigation was conducted based on a completely randomized block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Laboratory of Yasouj University in 2016. Experimental factors were seven levels of temperature treatments (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35°C) and seed priming with three strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens such as Pf 2, Pf 25 and CHA 0 and one strain of Bacillus subtilis and control (without inoculation).
Results: The results showed that 20°C temperature caused the highest germination percentage, germination rate and vigor length. Also, seeds inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens growth-promoting bacteria strain CHA0 had the highest germination percentage (68.74), germination rate (3.49 seeds per day) and vigor length vigor (6.22). Seedling length, dry weight and vigor weight were the other parameters that showed the best results at 20 and 25°C. Also, germination and seedling growth indices decreased by an increase or decrease in the optimum temperature. The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria causes increased activity of ascorbate and catalase enzymes, which leads to a decrease in injuries related to non-optimum temperature and improved germination indices.
Conclusion: According to our results, to accelerate the germination rate and other parameters, it is better to inoculate seeds with bacteria strains CHA0 and 25 in the temperature range of 20-25°C.
Highlights:
- The germination behaviour of safflower primed with bacteria varies at different temperatures.
- Seeds inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens growth-promoting bacteria of CHA0 strain had better germination conditions.
Using the 20-25°C temperature improves germination indices.
Hasan Keshavarz, Barmak Jafari Haghighi, Abdolreza Jafari, Hamidreza Miri, Hamidreza Ebrahimi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of seed priming, sulfur application, and a biofertilizer containing Thiobacillus on seed yield and the fatty acid composition of sesame. Due to the importance of sesame as a valuable oilseed crop, evaluating the combined role of nutritional and biological management in improving both quantitative and qualitative traits of the crop holds significant importance.
Method: A field experiment was conducted during the 2023–2024 growing season in Fasa County, Fars Province, Iran, as a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included four seed priming methods (no prime, hydropriming, calcium chloride at 2.5% and 5%), four levels of sulfur application (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha-1), and three levels of Thiobacillus inoculation (0, 2, and 4 kg ha-1). Sesame cultivar ‘Darab 2’ was sown at a density of 40 plants m-2. Thousand-seed weight, dry matter and seed yield were measured. Oil quality was evaluated through fatty acid methyl ester analysis using gas chromatography according to ISIRI and AOAC standards.
Results: Seed priming, sulfur application, and Thiobacillus biofertilization significantly affected all the studied traits. Both two-way and three-way interactions were significant at 1% and 5% levels. The highest plant dry weight (23,580 kg ha-1) was observed in the treatment of hydro-priming combined with 300 kg ha-1 sulfur. Additionally, the highest thousand seed weight (5.33 g) and seed yield (2610 kg ha-1) were recorded in the treatment of hydro-priming combined with 300 kg ha-1 sulfur and 4 kg ha-1 Thiobacillus. The highest oil percentage (52.2%) and protein content (25.10%) were obtained in the treatment of 5% calcium chloride priming combined with 300 kg ha-1 sulfur and 4 kg ha-1 Thiobacillus. The fatty acid analysis revealed that integrated treatments increased the content of unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, alpha-linolenic) while decreasing saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic).
Conclusions: The integrated use of seed priming (especially 5% calcium chloride or hydropriming), high-dose sulfur, and Thiobacillus inoculation significantly improved sesame seed yield, and oil quality. These practices enhanced nutrient uptake, stimulated microbial activity, and promoted biosynthesis of health-beneficial fatty acids.
Highlights
- Seed priming, sulfur application, and Thiobacillus inoculation significantly increased sesame seed yield.
- Combined treatments improved seed oil quality by increasing unsaturated fatty acids and reducing saturated ones.
