The uniform seed material is a prerequisite of stable yields. Therefore, the aim of the study was to observe variability of physiological seed traits depending on the classification of seeds by size and shape, and to determine advantages of large over small seed fractions. Three maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (ZP 505, ZP 677, ZP 684), produced in two locations (Orahovo, Plavna), were classified into six fractions; small flat seed (SFS), medium small flat seed (MSFS), large flat seed (LFS), small round seed (SRS), medium small round seed (MSRS) and large round seed (LRS). Two laboratory treatments were applied on seed: TR1 (cold test) and TR2 (20/30 ºC). In both temperature treatments, the first evaluation was done after 72-h germination, and then every 24 h until 7 th day. The highest total germination (G) was recorded for ZP 677 (93.7%), location Orahovo (94.9%), temperature TR2 (95.2%) and MSFS fraction (89.7%). The total proportion of factors in the variance for G was R 2 = 0.694. Locations and genotypes predominantly affected the germination rate (GR), η = 0.338. Flat fraction seeds had more rapid emergence (> 90%) of seedlings than the round fraction seeds (> 85%). Round seeds were more susceptible and seed size had a greater effect on vigour than LRS, 70%. The partial effect of the fraction on G was not estimated (η = 0.037), but its cumulative effect with other factors was evident (Hybrid × Fraction, η = 0.070).
The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) was established in 1924 with the idea of standardization in seed testing worldwide. The first international rules for seed testing (ISTA Rules) were published in 1931. The development of ISTA Rules is constant. ISTA members are involved in the ongoing process of developing methods for seed sampling and testing. The methods are validated to ensure that test procedures provide reliable and reproducible results. Since 2001, ISTA Rules have been issued annually. ISTA accredited laboratories have to work according to valid ISTA Rules. In this paper, ISTA Rules changes in seed germination testing since 2001 were presented. Changes in testing methods, criteria for seedling evaluation, procedure of calculation and reporting of results are presented in detail. It can be concluded that the amendments to the ISTA Rules are necessary in order to harmonize seed testing and modern trends in seed trade.
The present paper shows results obtained on effects of priming of sunflower seeds, subjected to accelerated ageing and the cold test, on seed vigour. Seeds were primed with distilled water, the potassium nitrate solution (0.2%) and the gibberellic acid solution (0.04%). The following parameters were tested: energy of germination, germination, proportion of abnormal seedlings, lengths of roots and shoots of normal seedlings. Accelerated ageing in the course of 3 and 5 days resulted in a statistically significant reduction in energy of germination and germination; it adversely affected the length of roots and shoots and it increased the proportion of abnormal seedlings. Seed priming with all three solutions mitigated adverse effects of 3-day accelerated ageing on energy of germination. Furthermore, seed priming with gibberellic acid prior to 3-day accelerated ageing positively affected seed germination and neutralized a negative effect of accelerated ageing on the number of abnormal seedlings, as well as on lengths of shoots and roots of normal seedlings. The cold test (at 5°C for 7 days) negatively affected energy of germination and the root length, increased the proportion of abnormal seedlings and did not affect seed germination. Priming of seeds with distilled water prior to the cold test completely neutralized the adverse effect of low temperatures on energy of germination. Finally, priming of seeds with all three solutions completely neutralized the adverse effect of cold test on the root length.
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of the year of cultivation, seed population and mycorrhizal seed treatment on two most important indicators of the pepper seed quality, namely germination energy and total germination. The pepper seed quality parameters, i.e. the first count and the total germination rate, were examined in the period 2017-2018. The results obtained show significant differences (p < 0.01) between the parameter values under consideration relative to the year of cultivation (Factor A), seed population (Factor B) and mycorrhizal sees treatment (Factor C). In the first experimental year, there was an increase in the first count and total germination of 4 to 6 % compared to the control when pepper seeds were treated with the mycorrhizal formulation. In the second experimental year, an increase in the first count was in the range of 3 to 16 %, whereas an increase in the total germination was 3 to 4 %, compared to the control. The effect of mycorrhizal pepper seed treatment proved beneficial especially to aged seeds that were slow to germinate.
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