Recovering Genetic Resources of Some Legume Species of Latvian Origin by Plant Tissue Culture

Abstract

Accessions with no germinating seeds are a common problem in plant gene banks and research institutions. Our goal was to elaborate and apply an in vitro method of germination and multiplication of old aged seeds of red and alsike clover and alfalfa. Eighteen clover and five alfalfa accessions were used for germination in vitro. Most of the accessions had produced seeds more than 20 years ago and the seeds did not germinate in soil. Seed pre-treatment with different concentrations of potassium permanganate, as well as addition of phytohormones, AgNO3 and activated carbon to germinating media were tested. Plantlets for all germinated accessions were obtained, even in the case when seeds were 44-year-old (alfalfa). Germination rate in vitro not always correlated with seed age and ranged from 2 to 72%. Pre-treatment with potassium permanganate was effective both for seeds sterilisation and germination stimulation. Most germinated seeds formed phenotypically normal seedlings with all organs. In vitro multiplication of obtained clover plants was performed. Best results were achieved by micropropagation of stem segments approximately 2 mm in length. Number of finally obtained plants depended not only on seed germination ability, but also on micropropagation ability in relation to genotype, and on acclimatization success in soil after in vitro cultivation

Priming with potassium solutions improves seedling growth and vigor in forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

“…Potassium permanganate has oxidizing properties and can act as ethylene neutralizer or an antiseptic. It helped in germination of some legume seeds stored for 20 -44 years (Grauda et al, 2013). It is found that on-farm' seed priming with KH 2 PO 4 improved fertilizer-use efficiency and increased yield and profit for different crops grown on Pdeficient soils (Ali et al, 2008).…”

Effect of Priming Treatment to Enhance Seed Quality of (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench)

“…Potassium permanganate has oxidizing properties and can act as ethylene neutralizer or an antiseptic. It helped in germination of some legume seeds stored for 20 -44 years [13]. It is found that on-farm' seed priming with KH2PO4 improved fertilizer-use efficiency and increased yield and profit for different crops grown on P deficient soils [14].…”

Halogens, alcohols and potassium permanganate extend the storability of hot pepper seeds (Capsicum annuum l.) under accelerated ageing conditions

“…Potassium permanganate has oxidizing properties and can act as ethylene neutralizer or an antiseptic. It helped in germination of some legume seeds stored for 20 -44 years (Grauda et al, 2013). Hence, an attempt was made to examine the feasibility of modifying the storage atmosphere for freshly extracted seeds, to reduce respiration rates, leading to prolonged quality retention.…”