Effect of pre-imbibition and osmoconditioning on seed-germination in Phaseolus-vulgaris L. under water-stress

The effect of osmoconditioning and controlled water sowing was analysed in seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. carioca on germination under water stress conditions. The pre-sowing in water at low temperature to limit germination resulted in the increase in the tolerance to water stress. The osmoconditioning with PEG for 48 hours increased the tolerance of bean seeds to water stress of -0.51MPa. The osmoconditioning or controlled water sowing can be used as a practice to increase the tolerance of bean seeds to water stress before planting in the field.

Effects of plant regulators and potassium nitrate, on Rangpur lime seeds germination

The effects of plant regulators and potassium nitrate were studied on 'Rangpur' lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) seeds germination. The seeds were removed from ripe fruits, washed, dried and stored at 4 - 5 degrees C, and treated for 24 hours before sowing and the treatments were: KNO3 0,1% and 0,2%; GA(3) 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 250 ppm; GA(4+7)+phenylmethylaminepurine 100 ppm; phenylmethylaminepurine 20 ppm and control. The germination was evaluated begining 13 days after sowing. Best results were obtained with KNO3 0,2%, which proved most beneficial in enhancing percentage and germination rate.

Study of spore germination in Thelypteris-dentata (forssk) e-st-john

The spore germination in Thelypteris dentata was studied and the optimum temperature of 25 C was determined by the maximum percentage germination and the highest germination index. The necessity of continuous white light irradiation and reversion of spore germination by subsequent far-red light irradiation indicate the involvement of phytochrome in the control of the process. The dependence of induction of spore germination to the continuous white light low irradiance confirms the phytochrome control through the low fluence response.

Seed maturation and effect of temperature regime on Trema micrantha (L.) Blume seed germination

T. micrantha (L.) Blume (Ulmaceae), a common pioneer tree species in Brazil, is used in the restoration of degraded areas. The fruits are fleshy and indehiscent, with only one water impermeable seed. During the fruiting period, fruits of different colours are found at the same time on the same branch. This research aimed to correlate fruit colour with other physical indicators of seed maturity and to Verify the effect of temperature regime on seed germination. Collected fruits were separated in to green, green-red and red colour and for each of these maturation stages, size, moisture content and dry matter of both fruits and seeds were determined. Seeds were scarified with sulphuric acid and submitted to a germination test conducted at constant (20 degreesC, 30 degreesC and 40 degreesC) and alternating (20-30 degreesC, 30-40 degreesC and 20-40 degreesC) temperatures for 15 weeks. Seed germination percentage and speed were analysed after five weeks and the fmal percentage of germinated and Viable seeds after 15 weeks. Seed maturity is attained when the fruits are green-red. At this stage, moisture content was about 64% for fruits and 10% for seeds. Alternating temperature was required for seed germination and 20-30 degreesC was the best option. Most seeds had germinated after five weeks, providing mature seeds, acid scarification and alternating temperature were used.

Effect of temperature on seed germination of queen palm Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) glassman (Arecaceae)

The Syagrus romanzoffiana is a specie of the Arecaccae family, native of Brazil, frequently used in landscape architecture. Its propagation is by seeds, however, there is little information in the literature about seed germination of this ornamental palm. The objective of this work was to study the effects of temperatures on seed germination of Syagrus romanzoffliana. The experimental design used was entirely randomized, with six temperatures (20 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 30 degrees C and 35 degrees C, constant and 20-30 degrees C and 25-35 degrees C alternated), photoperiod of 12 hours, and five replications of 20 seeds each. The seeds were placed in plastic boxes with sand, counting daily germination until 43(th) day. The percentage of seed germination (43(th) day) and the speed germination index (SGI) were evaluated. The conclusion was that there was no germination at a constant temperature of 20 degrees C and in the alternated temperature of 20-30 degrees C; the higher germination percentages were verified in the constant temperatures of 30 degrees C and 35 degrees C that didn't differ statistically from the temperature of 25-35 degrees C. The germination was faster at a constant temperature of 30 degrees C.

EFFECT OF DROUGHT AND DEFOLIATION STRESS IN THE FIELD ON SOYBEAN SEED-GERMINATION AND VIGOR

Although drought and defoliation stress have been shown to reduce soybean [Glycine max (L.). Merr.] yield, little information has been published regarding their effects on soybean seed quality. Field experiments were conducted in 1986, 1987, and 1989 to evaluate the effect of drought and defoliation (1989 only) stress during soybean seed development on seed germination and vigor. Essex (MG [maturity group] V) and Union (MG III) were grown in 1986 and 1987, and Harper (MG III) and McCall (MG 00) in 1989. Moisture treatments were either well watered or drought stressed during seed development (R5 to R7). In 1989, a total defoliation treatment was also imposed at R6 as an additional stress factor. There were significant reductions in yield and yield components following drought stress in all 3 yr and following defoliation in 1989. Leaf conductance and transpiration also decreased in the drought stress treatments. There was no effect of drought stress on seed germination or seed vigor as measured by accelerated aging germination and the cold test across the four cultivars (determinate and indeterminate) and 3 yr. In 1989 slight changes in 3-d germination and conductivity occurred for some drought stress treatments. Most of this response, however, was related to increased occurrence of hard seed, which does not represent an indication of a change in vigor. Seed germination and vigor were significantly reduced for small, flat, shriveled, and underdeveloped seeds that only occurred following defoliation. These seeds represented a small portion of the seed lot that would normally be removed during conditioning. The data suggest that drought stress would have no effect on seed germination or vigor, unless the stress was severe enough to produce shriveled, flat, underdeveloped seeds.

On the germination and dormancy of dispersal units of Brachiaria decumbens STAPF

The effect of light and temperature on germination of Brachiaria decumbens as well as the action of some dormancy breaking chemicals were tested. Two seed batches stored different times were used. The results show that seeds failed to respond to alternating temperature regimes and different light qualities. Seeds were indifferent to white light at 25 degrees C. KNO3, ethanol and H2SO4 failed to break seed dormancy, whereas KCN and H2O2 partially reduced dormancy of two month stored seeds. The results suggest a metabolic character of dormancy in ''new'' (freshly collected) seeds and confirm the occurence of two types of dormancy in B. decumbens seeds.

Temperature effect on seed germination in Canna indica L. (Cannaceae)

Comm indica L. is an herbaceous species with ornamental and medicinal value, having seeds with a hard seed coat. This study aimed to test the influence of constant temperatures ranging from 5 to 45 C, at 5 C intervals, on the germination of scarified seeds. Data obtained were analyzed through the model of enthalpy of activation in order to obtain the optimum temperature range for germination. The species showed seed germinability in a wide temperature range (10-40 degrees C) being the optimal temperature range between 13.84 and 34.41 degrees C, determined by the enthalpy of activation.

Germination and anaerobic metabolism of seeds of Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC subjected to flooding and anoxia

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The influence of the caruncle on the germination of castor seed under high salinity or low soil water content

The caruncle is a structure present in the micropylar region of Euphorbiaceae seeds. This structure has the ecological function of promoting seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory), but it is debated whether it also has an agronomical importance influencing seed germination. The influence of the caruncle on castor (Ricinus communis) seed germination was evaluated under low soil water content and high soil salinity. Seeds were germinated at soil water storage capacities varying from 22 to 50% and salinities (NaCl) varying from 0 to 10 dS m(-1) The germination (%) increased following the increments in soil moisture. hut the caruncle had no influence on this process at any moisture level. In one genotype. more root dry mass was produced when caruncle was excised. Increasing salinity reduced the percentage and speed of germination of castor seeds, but no influence of caruncle was detected. No evidence of caruncle influencing castor seed germination was found under low soil water content and high salinity.

Growth Regulators and KNO3 on Seed Germination of Angelonia salicariifolia

Angelonia salicariifolia is an herbaceous perennial native to Brazil with ornamental potential as garden plant, cut-flower and potted plant. It has blue flowers 1.0 to 1.4 cm long, in 10-30 cm long terminal racemes. In previous studies seeds of A. salicariifolia showed a positive photoblastic behavior under constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C. The present study evaluated the effects of growth regulators (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid and 2.25, 11.3, 22.5 mg L-1 of 6-benzylamino-purine) and potassium nitrate (0.2 and 1.0 %) on promoting its seed germination. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six replications of 25 seeds, for each treatment. Seeds from dehiscent capsules were sown on one layer of filter paper and moistened with growth regulators or KNO3 solutions. Germination was carried out at 25 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C, under continuous light or darkness. Germination (protusion of the radicle) was observed daily for 20 days. In the dark, only gibberellic acid promoted seed germination. The percentage of germination and the speed of germination index at 400 mg L-1 (47.3%; 0.86) and 500 mg L-1 (52.0%; 0.95) were significantly higher compared to 100 mg L-1 (27.8%; 0.38) and 200 mg L-1 (32.3%; 0.49). The mean germination time at 500 mg L-1 (10.0 days) was significantly smaller compared to 100 mg L-1 (11.9 days) and 200 mg L-1 (11.5 days). Under light, treatments did not differ among each other or from the control, except for 22.5 mg L-1 of 6-benzylamino-purine and potassium nitrate (1.0%), which decreased the percentage of germination and the speed of germination index compared to control. The application of growth regulators or potassium nitrate under light condition is not necessary, since these treatments did not improve germination percentage or the speed of germination index.

The action of the testa upon the germination of seeds of Cucumis anguria L.

In negatively photoblastic seeds of Cucumis anguria L. the scarification of micropyle overcame the inhibitory effect of white light , although far-red radiation inhibited the germination in both intact and scarified seeds. The moistened testa powder transmitted more far-red than red radiation. Thus the testa could act as a filter of radiation and maintain a high far-red/red ratio at the photosensitive site of the embryo, which must be localized near the micropyle. © 1988 Academia.

Effect of water stress on seed germination and seedling growth in Oryza sativa L.

The effect of water stress induced by application of polyethylene glycol 6000 during seed germination and seedling growth of Oryza sativa L. cv. IAC 165 was analysed. The seed germination was inhibited by the decrease in the water potential of the medium, the inhibition being greater under white light than under continuous darkness. When the seedling was submitted to water stress (-0.51 MPa) white light inhibited growth of root, coleoptile-and leaf, while under no stress conditions white light caused increase in growth of root and leaf and only inhibition of coleoptile growth. © 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers.