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Showing 6 results for Potassium Nitrate

Mozhgan Maleki Narg Mousa, Hamidreza Balouchi, Mahmood Attarzadeh,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (9-2015)
Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of priming on some germination and seedling growth characteristics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under drought stress, an experiment was conducted base on completely randomized design with four replications at the Seed Technology Laboratory of Yasouj University, in 2011. Treatments were included of five priming levels (control or no prime, hydro priming, potassium nitrate 3% (KNO3), PEG and Urea -4 bar) as the first factor and three levels of drought stress (0, -4 and -8 bar) as the second factor. The results showed that the interactions of drought stress and seed priming on germination percentage and the germination rate was not significant. But the main impact of priming and drought stress on them was so significant at 1% probability. The highest germination percentage and germination rate (75.66% and 3.62 seed.day-1, respectively) were shown in urea priming and the lowest (52% and 2.31 seed.day-1 respectively) in the control treatment (no prime). Drought stress was caused a significant decrease in germination traits. In general, the results obtained in this study showed that treatment with urea and potassium nitrate compared with PEG improved germination and seedling growth of safflower.


Farzad Mondani, Ashkan Jalilian, Atusa Olfati,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (9-2018)
Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: Malva (Malva neglecta) is one of perennial plants of the Malvaceae family. One of the most important mechanisms for survival of the plants is dormancy, rest or distance in germination and growth; in this case, despite favorable conditions for germination, the seed remains at rest for an indefinite period of time. Seed dormancy is a consistent feature in some seeds, especially weed seeds to optimize distribution of germination over time. Seed dormancy has a very important role in ecological management. The cause of the physical dormancy lies in skin cells outside tier structure that is impermeable to water. In physical dormancy, the seed coat is so hard that it does not allow the embryo to grow during germination. The chemical dormancy of the plants seeds is caused by the presence of inhibitor substances in the outer shell of many fruits and seeds and may also be due to an Enamel layer that blocks the exchange of oxygen. It goes without saying that understanding the ecology of weed germination and dormancy can contribute to long-term management. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effects of breaking seed dormancy and the impact of chemical and mechanical treatments on the germination of the Mallow seeds.
Materials and Methods: In order to recognize the effects of chemical and mechanical treatments on breaking seed dormancy and some of the most important features of seed germination of Malva, the experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with 4 replications at Crop Physiology Lab, Razi University, during 2016. Treatments were distilled water (control), sulfuric acid 98% (for 2, 3 and 4 minutes), potassium nitrate 3% (for 3, 4 and 7 days), hydrogen peroxide 30% (for 2, 3 and 4 minutes) and scarification with sandpaper and prechilling (for 1, 2 and 3 weeks). Germination percentage, germination rate, length and dry weight of hypocotyl, length and dry weight of radicle, seedling total dry weight and vigor index were evaluated. Group comparisons, analysis of variance and comparison of means were run based on LSD at 5% level, using SAS software (version 9.4).
Results: The results showed that the highest and the lowest germination percentage were 82% and 5% in scarification with a chilling for 3 weeks and control treatments, respectively. The results of treatment group comparisons also showed that using scarification with a chilling had the greatest impact on seed dormancy breaking. The most hypocotyl length (34.92 mm), hypocotyl dry weight (2.60 g), seedling dry weight (3.29 g) and seed vigor index (58.13) were observed in scarification with a chilling for 3 weeks. The highest germination rate (5.21 in day), radicle length (34.92 mm) and radicle dry weight (0.85 g) also belonged to sulfuric acid 98% for 2 minutes. It seems that seed dormancy of Malva was a combination of physiological and physical dormancy, because the effectiveness of the treatments evaluated in both metabolic and physical processes brought about the increase in the seed germination percentage.
Conclusion: Out of the treatments examined and given the results of group comparisons, scarification with sandpaper and prechilling had the most effect on breaking Malva’s seed dormancy. As scarification with chilling had the main role in breaking seed dormancy, it could be said that the dormancy is physiological and factors contributing to this dormancy are the embryo, the existence of inhibiting factors or both. The results indicated that the germination of Malva (Malva neglcta) seeds mechanically scratched with scarification increased. Therefore, seed dormancy is due to hard coated seeds. The seed coat is as one physical barrier against growth of embryo or radicle that inhibits absorption of water and gas exchanges.
 
 
Highlights:
1- Investigating dormancy breaking and germination traits of neglcta species of Malva.
2- Evaluation of efficiency of different chemical and mechanical treatments in the germination traits of Malva.

Ali Asharf Mehrabi, Somayeh Hajinia,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (9-2019)
Abstract



Extended Abstract
Introduction: White Astragalus (Astragalus gossypinus Fisherr.) is one of the valuable plants for producing gum, which is of critical importance in soil conservation and the economy of the country. This plant is propagated by seed; its seeds are in the natural state of dormancy. Therefore, recognizing the factors affecting dormancy and creating optimal conditions for seed germination of this plant is necessary for the cultivation and reclamation of rangelands. This study was conducted with the aim of finding the best treatment for breaking the dormancy and improving seed germination under various chemical and physical treatments.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out as a factorial based on a completely randomized design with four replications at the gene bank of cereal and legume Lab of Ilam University, 2017. The factors included two levels of scarification chemical (with and without sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 10 minutes), three levels of stratification (control, moist chilling at +4 °C and dry chilling -20 °C), potassium nitrate in two levels (zero and 1% KNO3) and gibberellic acid in two levels (zero and 5 ppm GA3). Germination indices including germination percentage, germination rate, seedling and radicle length, seedling fresh weight and vigor index were measured.
Results: Initial assessment of vital indices in seed such as germination and primary growth showed that the simultaneous application of scarification by sulfuric acid and moist chilling at +4 °C has the most impact on removing dormancy and increasing germination percentage. The highest germination rate was observed in moist chilling at +4 °C, which was 32.19 percent more than that of the control treatment. Scarification by sulfuric acid reduced the mean germination time in moist chilling at +4 °C. Scarification by sulfuric acid increased the fresh weight of the seedling by 55.25 percent, compared with the control. Pre-treatments with potassium nitrate undre control conditions, moist chilling at +4 °C and dry chilling at -20 °C increased the fresh weight of seedlings, at 52.66, 30.94 and 17.18 percent, respectively. Application of potassium nitrate increased root length by about 60.7 percent, compared with control. The highest radicle length (78.71 mm) was obtained when the seed was treated with sulphuric acid with wet chilling at 4 ° C for two weeks, which was 30 percent higher than control. The highest seedling length (84.88 mm) was obtained in scarification with sulfuric acid, wet chilling, and potassium nitrate and gibberellic acid. The highest seed vigor index (61.85 %) was observed in the treatment of scarification with sulfuric acid under moist chilling, and pre-treatments of gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate.
Conclusions: In general, it can be concluded that seed dormancy of Astraglus gossypinus involves both physical and physiological dormancy. The best treatment for removing the dormancy of this species seems to be scarification with sulfuric acid for 10 minutes puls concentrated stratification in moist chilling at +4 °C for two weeks.
 
 
Highlights:
  1. Determination of the optimal seed dormancy techniques of white Astragalus for the purpose of increasing seed germination percentage.
  2. Comparison of the efficiency of different dormancy breaking techniques.
  3. The combined effect of sulfuric acid, chilling and priming with gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate on germination indices.

Maryam Boroujerdnia, Hamed Hasanzade Khankahdani,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (3-2022)
Abstract

Extend abstract
Introduction: Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is one of the most important fruit crops of tropical and subtropical regions. Guava (Psidium guajava L.) can be propagated by seed, layering, grafting, cutting or tissue culture. Propagation by seed is used for the production of seedlings usable in breeding programs or rootstock production for grafting. Guava seeds germinate poorly and unevenly and require more time for seedling emergence. The dormancy in seeds might be due to hard seed coat and different methods are used for breaking dormancy in seeds to improve germination. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficiency of the different pretreatment on seed dormancy breaking and germination characteristics of guava.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications on guava seeds in genetic and breeding laboratory of Date Palm and Tropical Fruit Research Center at the summer of 2018. Treatments consisted of distilled water (24 and 48 h), 0.5 and 1% potassium nitrate (KNO3) for 24 h, warm water (70 ° C) for 5 and 10 min, 25% and 50% sulphuric acid for 5 min, and control (non-treated). In this study, the traits of germination percentage, germination rate and mean of daily germination, seed vigour index and fresh weight and length of seedling were measured.  Data analysis was done using the SAS 9.2 software and the Duncan's test at 5% probability level was used for mean comparison.
Results: Results showed that the effect of treatments on seed germination indices (germination percentage, germination rate and mean of daily germination, seed vigour index) of guava was significant at p<0.01. The greatest germination percentage (53.1%), germination rate (6.6 seed/day) and seed vigour (2636.7) were observed in treatment of 1% potassium nitrate (KNO3) for 24 h. The lowest Mean time to germination (14 days) was obtained in distilled water for 48h. Warm water treatments at 70 °C and 25% and 50% sulfuric acid were not effective in improving seed germination compared to control. The highest seed length and weight were observed in 1% potassium nitrate and 0.5% potassium nitrate pretreatments, respectively.
Conclusions: the results of this study show that among the different treatments, pre-treatment of seeds with 1%potassium nitrate may be considered as an effective way to improve seed germination of guava. Also, pretreatment with distilled water for 48 hours is an easy, low cost and effective way to increase guava seed germination indices.

Highlights:
1- The effect of different chemical treatments on germination characteristics of guava was investigated.
2- The suitable method for seed dormancy elimination and seed germination improvement of guava was introduced.

Hamideh Khalaj,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (9-2023)
Abstract

Extended Abstract
Introduction: Althaea officinalis L. is one of the most important plants of the Malvaceae family which is used in traditional medicine and as a drug to treat the disorders of digestive and respiratory systems. The fresh seeds of Althaea do not have a good growth potential. This experiment was performed to evaluate the different methods of seed dormancy breaking on the improvement of A. officinalis L. seed germination.
Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications at the agricultural laboratory of Payame Noor University Tehran, Shahriar Center in 2017. The experimental treatments included 10 treatments (control, seed coat removal, seed coat removal + gibberellic acid (500 and 1000 ppm), seed coat removal + potassium nitrate (0.1 and 0.2%), seed coat removal + sulfuric acid (30 and 60 minutes), sulfuric acid (30 and 60 minutes).
Results: The results showed that the highest germination index with averages of 433.3 was observed in seed coat removal + 30- minutes of sulfuric acid treatment. The highest germination rate (44.7 seed/day) was observed in seed coat removal + 60-minute sulfuric acid treatment. The highest germination percentage (86.6%) was observed in seed coat removal+ 0.2% potassium nitrate treatment. Also, the highest mean germination time (20.2 day) was observed in both control and seeds coat removal treatments. The highest plumule and seedling length and fresh and dry weight were observed in seed coat removal + 30 and 60- minute sulfuric acid, and seed coat removal +0.2% potassium nitrate treatment, without significant difference. The highest radicle length was obtained in seed coat removal +30- minutes sulfuric acid treatment and seed coat removal + 0.2% potassium nitrate treatments.
Conclusion: Since all three sulfuric acid, potassium nitrate and gibberellic acid treatment along with seed coat removal treatment significantly affect the measured traits compared with control. It may be suggested that A. officinalis L. seed has a type of physical and physiological dormancy and seed dormancy breaking treatments (especially 30- minutes sulfuric acid) can be used to increase germination the fresh seeds of this plant.

Highlights:
  1. In A. officinalis plant, removal of seed coat using chemical treatments is very effective in applying seed dormancy treatments.
 Development of A. officinalis seed cultivation and propagation is possible by applying seed dormancy breaking methods.

Hamideh Javadi, Parvin Salehi Shanjani, Mohammad Dadmand, Masoumeh Ramazani Yeghaneh,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (3-2024)
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.


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