Germination and seedling development are essential stages in a plant’s life cycle, greatly influenced by temperature and moisture conditions. The aim of this study was to determine maize (Zea mays L.) seeds’ germination and seedling development under various abiotic stresses. Eight different temperature levels, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C, were used. Drought and waterlogging stresses were tested using 30 water levels based on one-milliliter intervals and as percentages of thousand kernel weight (TKW) at 20 and 25 °C. Seedling density and the use of antifungals were also examined. Temperature significantly affected germination duration and seedling growth, and 20 °C was found to be ideal with an optimal range of less than 30 °C. Germination occurred at 25% of the TKW. The optimal water range for seedling growth was higher and broader than the range for germination. Seed size assisted in defining germination water requirements and providing an accurate basis. The present research established an optimum water supply range of 150–325% of the TKW for maize seedling development. A total of 6 seeds per 9 cm Petri dish may be preferable over greater densities. The technique of priming seeds with an antifungal solution before planting was observed to have a better effect than applying it in the growth media.

Temperature and moisture are essential factors in germination and seedling growth. The purpose of this research was to assess the germination and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds under various abiotic stressors. It was conducted in the Agronomy Institute of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary. Six distinct temperature levels were used: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C. Stresses of drought and waterlogging were quantified using 25 water levels based on single-milliliter intervals and as a percentage based on thousand kernel weight (TKW). Seedling density was also tested. Temperature significantly influenced germination duration and seedling development. 20 °C was ideal with optimal range of 15 °C to less than 25 °C. Germination occurred at water amount of 75% of the TKW, and its ideal range was lower and narrower than the range for seedling development. Seed size provided an objective basis for defining germination water requirements. The current study established an optimal water supply range for wheat seedling growth of 525–825 percent of the TKW. Fifteen seeds within a 9 cm Petri dish may be preferred to denser populations.

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), or head scab, primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum Schw., is a destructive disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). It has reemerged worldwide as a disease of economic importance. Damage produced by the fungus includes: reduction of yield, mycotoxin contamination (DON), discolored, shriveled “tombstone” kernels and reduction in seed quality. The disease also reduces the test weight and lowers the market grade. Thus, there is great interest among breeders in selecting for resistance to both traits of DON and fusarium damaged kernel (FDK). This study was conducted to determine the effect of mass selection for FHB resistance using an image-based optical sorter compared to other methods. Fusariun damaged kernel (FDK) percentage on a count basis is more accurate than the weight basis, which was obvious in the visual estimate method although they were highly correlated. Visually adjusting the scabby portion (output of air separation machine) increases the accuracy of FDK percentage. Moderate correlations existed between FDK and DON measured by using traditional methods (FDK on basis of visual estimate, FDK on basis of air-separation, traditional methods of DON measurement), NIR, and image-based optical sorter. DON was correlated better with FDK measured by the image-based optical sorter than FDK measured by the air separation machine, NIR, or a visual estimate. The image-based optical sorter is easier to run, not time consuming compared to other methods since the speed of sorting can be adjusted according to the user, and its ability to detect variation among the populations at 0.05 level of significance. Over the twenty populations tested, the data suggest that the image-based optical sorter effectively provides a better way to assess FDK and DON. This method could accelerate FDK and DON assessment, and can be a great tool for breeding programs to assess and select for low FDK and DON.

The seed germination and seedling growth of rapeseed are crucial stages in plant life, especially when facing abiotic stresses. In the present work, the effects of water and temperature on seed germination and seedling growth were investigated in a rapeseed crop (Brassica napus L.). The plants were examined under different temperature levels (5 °C, 10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C) and water levels (twenty-nine levels based on either one-milliliter intervals or as a percentage of the thousand-kernel weight (TKW)). Moreover, planting densities and antifungal application techniques were investigated in the study. The findings demonstrated substantial variations between all the growth parameters investigated at all the tested temperatures, and 20 °C was considered the optimum within a broad range of 15–25 °C. Water availability plays a significant role in germination, which can be initiated at 0.65 mL, corresponding to 500% of the TKW. The method of TKW is a more accurate aspect of water application because of the consideration of the seed weight and size. The optimal water range for the accumulation of dry weight, 3.85–5.9 mL (2900–4400% of TKW), was greater than that required for seedling growth, 1.45–3.05 mL (1100–2300% of TKW). Twenty to twenty-five seeds per 9 cm Petri dish exhibited the most outstanding values compared to the others, which provides an advantage in breeding programs, especially when there are seed limitations. Seed priming is a more effective antifungal application strategy. These data can be incorporated into future rapeseed germination in vitro studies, breeding programs, and sowing date predictions.

The sediments of the Sawa lake surrounded area, southern Iraq, have unique proprieties that are interesting to researchers. Four sites located at varying distances from the lake were selected to study some of the properties of the lake sediment. The results indicate that the study soil is saline soils because of the values of the three salinity criteria (EC, TDS, and NaCl(. The values of electrical conductivity ranged between (100.11 and 74.78) ds.m−1for surface depths, whereas for subsurface depths ranged between (14.66 and 38.55) ds.m−1. The values of the total soluble salts ranged from (7.4 and 85.67) g/L. The percentage of sodium chloride ranged between (3.1 and 8.5)%. The results present that the soils of the study fall within the neutral to the low basal soils as the values of the degree of interaction ranged between (7.00 and 7.55). The sand proportion in soil texture was more than clay and loam proportions, which ranged between (420 and 780) g.kg−1. The dominance of the intermediate soil texture (loam) category for most depths of the study soil (S.C.L, S.L(. The distribution of sand particles of different sizes took the following patterns: The first location, which is far from the lake was the dominance of the soft particles rather than coarse particles. The second site, the closest to the lake, was the dominance of rougher particles. The soft and semi-soft particles of the sand were prevalent in the third and fourth sites, which were the distances between (155) m to (147) m, respectively. The results indicated the convergence of sediment content of light and heavy metals in all locations and homogeneity of distribution of metals in all sites.