Effect of Stimulate of Sorghum Seeds with Banana Peel Extract and Citric Acid on Seeds Viability and Vigour

Abstract

Sorghum seeds suffer from a low germination ratio, so a factorial experiment was carried out in the Seed Technology Laboratory, Department of Field Crops, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad during 2022 according to a Completely Randomized Design with four replications to study the effect of stimulating seeds with aqueous extract of banana peels with a concentration of (0, 15, 25 and 35%) and citric acid at concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg L-1) on viability and vigour of seed properties. Seeds that soaked with banana peel extract at a concentration of 25% outperformed in first count (79.8%), final count (85.0%), radicle length (13.2 cm), plumule length (11.6 cm), and seedling vigour index (2109), noting that they didn’t differ significantly with a concentration of 35%. Concentration of 35% outperformed in seedling dry weight (0.015 mg), cold test (46.2%) and accelerated aging (65.0%). Citric acid at a concentration of 200 mg L-1 was superior at the first count (84.3%), final count (87.5%), radicle length (13.9 cm), plumule length (11.5 cm), seedling dry weight (0.014 mg), and seedling vigour index (2227). Concentration of 35% + 100 mg L-1 of banana peel extract and citric acid was significantly superior at final count (94.0%), radicle length (15.8 cm), plumule length (13.6 cm), seedling dry weight (0.017 mg), seedling vigour index (2761), accelerated ageing (75.0%), It can be concluded that banana peel extract is rich with nutrients and mineral elements that stimulate germination and seedling growth, and that citric acid provides an appropriate pH that increases the activity of the enzymes responsible for germination process, so it can be recommended that using a concentration of 35% + 100 mg L-1 of the aqueous extract of banana peels and citric acid together to enhance germination in sorghum.

Sustainable approach for seed stimulating and sowing date to enhance field emergence and growth of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

“…Seeds soaked in banana peel extract + citric acid outperformed seeds soaked in distilled water only in both seasons (Table 1). The reason for this may be the organic acids found in banana peel extract [23]. It's activated the process of energy conversion in living cells and provide the energy needed for germination.…”

“…The presence of high levels of potassium and growth stimulants, as well as amino acids such as Ltryptophan, has shown significant effects on various biological characteristics of plants, including a high seed germination rate. Banana peels have demonstrated substantial effects in this regard [21,22,23]. As for citric acid, it is a water-soluble organic acid and one of the most important non-enzymatic antioxidants.…”

Effect of potassium nitrate, licorice extract and planting date on field emergence and growth of maize (Zea mays L.) in spring season

“…Stimulating seeds improved their performance in salt stress tolerance compared to unstimulated seeds [22] and increased plant height, leaf area, and leaf chlorophyll content [23]. The seeds took a positive path affected by the natural extracts and their concentrations, which enhances the possibility of their use as an alternative to nutrients and other growth regulators for increasing the seed vitality and vigor through soaking them [3,24]. Stimulating seeds accelerates physiological ripening [25], as plants resulting from pre-sowing stimulated seeds are characterized by early and uniform emergence of seedlings, as well as earlier flowering and maturation under a wide range of environmental conditions [26,27].…”

Sustainable practices impact and planting date on yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

“…Banana peels contain a high percentage of vitamins A and C, tryptophan, carbohydrates, proteins, essential amino acids, natural phenolic compounds, flavonoids, natural antioxidants, and growthpromoting substances, especially nitrogen, and potassium [34,35]. Citric acid is highly water-soluble organic acid, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and had significant role in alleviating and tolerating both biotic and abiotic stresses in plants [36,37].…”