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.
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.
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.
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