Influence of some chemical compounds on germination and early seedling growth of two range species under allelopathic conditions

Abstract

Seed priming technique has been known to improve germination and seedling emergence under different environment stresses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of seed priming in improving the seed germination and seedling vigor of Agropyron elongatum and Bromus inermis in response to five concentrations of the allelopathic extract of Thymus kotschyanus (0, 5%, 25%, 50% and 75%) under laboratory conditions. Pretreatments included gibberellic acid (250, 500 and 1000 ppm), potassium nitrate (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%) and salicylic acid (100, 200 and 300 mg/L). This experiment was carried out as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with four replications. The results showed that seed germination, germination speed and seedling vigor were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) by increasing extract concentrations of Thymus kotschyanus allelopathic compounds in unprimed seed (control) compared with primed seeds. Seed priming enhanced germination percentage, germination speed and initial growth. Overall, the results of this study showed that the response of both species to pretreatment of seeds was positive. Therefore, pretreatments of seeds with the aforementioned chemical stimulators before planting can significantly reduce the negative effect of allelopathic compounds in Thymus kotschyanus during the germination stage and contribute to plant establishment by increasing germination speed and growth of embryos.

Priming of Solanum melongena L. Seeds Enhances Germination, Alters Antioxidant Enzymes, Modulates ROS, and Improves Early Seedling Growth: Indicating Aqueous Garlic Extract as Seed-Priming Bio-Stimulant for Eggplant Production

“…Various reports show that numerous physiological activities such as antioxidative enzymes [5], hormones such as Abscisic acid (ABA) [6], Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) [7] and Gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) [8], starch metabolism [9] and soluble sugars content [10], the redox potential [11] etc., overall influence the germination process and may be considered important parameters to study the germination process in a particular environmental situation. To overcome germination obstacles or to enhance germination potential, numerous methods can be employed such as the use of genetically enhanced/modified seeds bank and chemical priming [12][13][14]. Priming is seed treatments that result in hydrating the seeds followed by re-drying to activate certain biochemical processes but the radicle protrusion, however, has not occurred yet.…”

Effects of growth regulators on seed germination, seedling growth and some aspects of metabolism of Wheat under allelochemical stress

“…Pretreatments of Agropyron elongatum and Bromus inermis seeds with the chemical stimulators e.g., GA 3 before planting could significantly reduce the negative effect of allelopathic compounds in Thymus kotschyanus during the germination stage too (Saberi et al 2011). Both elongation and fresh-dry weights of four-week-old-seedlings of wheat were also reduced by oleander and walnut leaf powders, and the GA 3 and IBA alleviated these parameters.…”

Effects of Salicylic Acid Priming Application in Some Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) Cultivars

“…As a result of statistical analysis, the 0.25 mM dose of salicylic acid can be considered the most effective dose for all germination and seedling development parameters. The positive results obtained with salicylic acid priming applications can be explained by the influence of salicylic acid on water uptake, nutrient absorption, stomatal conductance, and cell respiration (Saberi et al, 2011).…”