Priming seeds of sorghum and sudangrass using water and aquatic extracts of willow and banana

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of seed priming on seed quality parameters (germination energy, germination, seedling length and vigor index) of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Pers.). The experiment was performed at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia. The research was conducted on the seeds of the sorghum variety NS Džin and sudangrass variety Srem. Distilled water and aqueous extracts of young willow branches (Salix matsudana) and mature banana fruits (Musa x paradisiaca) were used to prime the seeds. The seeds were primed for: 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. The results showed that priming sorghum and sudangrass seeds in aqueous extracts of young willow branches and mature banana fruits can have a positive effect on seed quality parameters: germination energy, germination, seedling length and vigor index. The greatest effect on germination energy and seed germination was achieved in sudangrass by using an aqueous extract of young willow branches. The increase was 9.30% and 9.20%, respectively. Priming sorghum seeds in aquatic extracts of mature banana fruits had the greatest effect on seedling length and vigor index. The increase was 36.86% and 40.33%, respectively. For all research parameters, priming for 3 h was the most effective. However, in addition to the positive effect, priming can also have a negative effect. The most significant reduction was found on sorghum seeds, when primed in an aqueous extract of mature banana fruit for 24 hours. Germination energy and germination were reduced by 7.14% and 9.30%, respectively.