Nusret Ozbay

Inclusion of plant growth regulators into priming solution improves low-temperature germination and emergence of watermelon seeds

The effects of incorporating plant growth regulators into the priming solution on low temperature germination and emergence performance of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai. cv. Crimson Sweet] seeds were investigated. Seeds were primed in 2.5% (0.25 M) KNO3 solution for 6 d at 25°C in darkness containing one of the following: 1, 3 or 5 µM methyl jasmonate (MeJA), or 1, 3 or 5 mM spermine. Following priming, seeds were subjected to germination and emergence tests at 15°C. Priming watermelon seeds in the presence or absence of plant growth regulators significantly improved germination percentage and rate at 15°C compared to untreated seeds, which failed to germinate. Seeds primed in KNO3 solution containing 1 or 3 µM of MeJA had significantly higher germination percentages, 96 and 85%, respectively, compared to seeds primed in KNO3 only (69%). Germination rate and synchrony were improved by 1 and 3 µM of MeJA added to the priming solution. Emergence was enhanced by priming seeds in the ...

Studies on Seed Priming in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Plants are regularly exposed to various adverse environmental conditions such as drought, salinity, chilling, and high temperatures. These abiotic stresses adversely affect the plant growth and productivity and, in extreme cases, cause plant death. One feature expected of high-quality seeds is to be able to germinate under adverse growing conditions. Rapid germination and emergence are essential for successful crop establishment, for which seed priming could play an important role. Seed priming is an effective technology to enhance rapid and uniform emergence and to achieve high vigor, leading to better stand establishment and yield. Over the past 50 years, there has been extensive literature published on seed priming and related pre-sowing seed treatments. These have been particularly promising for high-value small-seeded vegetable crops such as pepper where rapid, uniform germination is at a premium either in the cell transplant production or where accurate and uniform plant population density is required from direct sowing. The aim of this chapter is to review some of the current ideas and recent work on physiological priming treatments designed to enhance germination and emergence performances of pepper seeds.