Evaluation of Seed Treatments to Enhance Pima Cotton Seedling Emergence¹

Abstract

Previous research has shown that germination of cottonseed (Gossypium spp.) can be improved during low temperature by treating seed with gibberellic acid (GA3), kinetin, or by elevating the seed moisture level. The work reported here was conducted to evaluate these seed treatments as aids to improving seed germination of G. barbadense L. (‘Pima S‐4’) and to determine if they enhance seedling emergence in fields with low soil temperatures. Soaking seed in water for 6 hours before chilling at 5 C significantly reduced visual chilling injury. Both kinetin and GA had little effect on % germination, but vigor of germinating seed was increased in the laboratory when seed were soaked for 3 hours in 0.1 or 1.0 mg/liter kinetin, or 100 or 500 mg/liter GA. When similar seed treatments were evaluated in several field plantings with low soil temperatures, neither chemical improved the number of seedlings emerged or the time required for emergence. GA at the level that promoted seed vigor in the laboratory resulted in greatly reduced emergence because of spindly growth. Soaking seed in water before planting generally reduced emergence with the degee of reduction directly related to length of soaking. Seed that were soaked for 3 hours showed abnormal development of cotyledons and reduced dry wt. compared to nonsoaked seed. Thus these seed treatments cannot be recommended as aids to enhance Pima cotton seedlings emergence.

Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Seed Rates on Pepper Seed Germination in Aerated Water Columns1

“…There was no significant inter actions between GA3 and seed rates. Results of GA3 experiments on pepper seed germination generally agree with the findings of other researchers (1,2,9,10,11,12,13).…”

“…Other workers have reported stimu lation o f pepper seed germ ination using various techniques in cluding polyethylene glycol and sodium hypochlorite treatments (6,7,14). GA3 has been shown to stimulate seed germination in many species (1,2,10,11,12,13).…”

Relationships Among Cottonseed Vigor and Emergence1

“…These experiments were in completely randomized designs with 8, 6, and 5 replications in 1973, 1974, and 1975, respectively. Seed were germinated for 4 days at 25 C and 8 clays at 15 C. Percent germination (PG), percent transfer (PT), and germination index (GI) were determined as previously described (4,5,6). Briefly, axes of germinated seedlings were removed and expressed as a percentage of total seedling dry weight to determine PT.…”

“…We have recently retorted on techniques for determining seed vigor o germinating cotton seedlings (4,5,6) which is similar to that used for soybeans [Glycine max (L) Merr. J (I).…”

Innovative Rice Seed Coating (Oryza Sativa) with Polymer Nanofibres and Microparticles Using the Electrospinning Method

“…Seed treatment reduces production costs of seedlings, reduces the consumption of seeds, facilitates mechanization of sowing and provides improvements for seed and seedling establishment by incorporating nutrients, growth regulators and other agrochemicals. Seed treatment provides protection during the critical germination and vigour establishment stages when the seed and emerging seedlings are unable to protect themselves from invasive pathogens [1][2][3][4]. Serving as the first line of defense for seeds and seedlings, seed treatments can improve seed germination, seedling emergence, stand establishment and plant vigour [5].…”