Factors affecting seedling vigor in potatoes: II. Genotype,dormancy, and pre-sowing treatments

Twelve true potato seed (TPS) crosses were tested for seedling vigor after 3 and 6 months of storage. Bulk seed was sown in the 3-month test, and high- and medium-density seed was sown in the 6-month test. Treatments consisted of pre-sowing in solutions of KNO₃ + K₃PO₄ at -10 MPa for 5 days (priming), and in gibberellic acid at 1500 ppm (GA) or in water for 1 day; rinsed seed served as a control. In both the 3- and 6-month tests, seedlings of Atlantic x LT-7 (A1) outperformed all other crosses in rate of emergence and dry weight. Overall performance increased for all crosses when tested after 6 months of storage. In the 3-month test, the priming treatment increased seedling vigor in cross A1, otherwise, differences among treatments were mostly not significant. In the 6-month test, however, priming increased vigor in all crosses. Emergence generally was >80% in both tests. After 3 months, however, GA increased the percentage of emergence from ≤38% to 73% in the two least vigorous or most dormant crosses. Seed density levels were neither strongly nor consistently related to seedling vigor. The findings suggest that considerable improvement of TPS seedling performance can be attained by 1) selecting more vigorous or less dormant TPS progenies; 2) sowing seed after 6 months in storage; and (3) priming seed.     

Enhancing the performance of transplanted coarse rice by seed priming

Raising the rice seedlings in the nursery and its transplantation into the flooded fields is principal method of rice cultivation in the world. Traditional nursery raising method in Pakistan is tedious and produces week seedlings, which reduces the final yield due to high mortality. The potential of seed priming to improve the nursery seedlings and thus the transplanted rice was evaluated in the present study. Seed priming tools employed during the investigation included traditional soaking (pre-germination), hydropriming for 48 h, osmohardening (KCl or CaCl₂) (ψs-1.25 MPa) for 24 h (1 cycle), ascorbate priming (with 10 ppm ascorbate) for 48 h or seed hardening for 24 h. Priming improved nursery seedling vigor and resulted in improved growth, yield and quality of transplanted rice. Osmohardening (KCl) consequently resulted in the best performance, followed by osmohardening (CaCl₂)_, hardening and ascorbate priming. Osmohardening (KCl) produced 4.28 t ha⁻¹ (vs. 3.51 t ha⁻¹ from untreated control) kernel yield, 10.27 t ha⁻¹ (vs. 9.34 t ha⁻¹ from untreated control) straw yield and 29.41% (vs. 27.31% from untreated control) harvest index. The improved yield was attributed to increase in number of fertile tillers.     

Comparative efficacy of surface drying and re-drying seed priming in rice: changes in emergence, seedling growth and associated metabolic events

In seed priming, seeds are soaked in a solution of low water potential and dried back to their original weight. This study was conducted to evaluate the comparative performance of different seed priming treatments and to investigate whether re-drying is essential or not? Seeds of fine grain aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Super-Basmati were subjected to hardening, osmohardening with CaCl₂ and KCl (ψ _s ?1.25 MPa) each for 24 h (one cycle), and hydropriming and ascorbate priming (10 mg L^?1) for 48 h. Seeds were primed in two sets. In one set after each treatment, seeds were given three surface washings with distilled water and dried back near to original moisture contents with forced air. In the other case, after surface washings with distilled water, seeds were surface dried using blotting paper and sown immediately. All the priming treatments improved the emergence, seedling growth and reserve metabolism. Use of surface drying was more effective for rice seed invigoration, as evident from earlier and synchronized seedling emergence. Moreover, shoot and root length, seedling dry weight, root score, α-amylase activity, soluble sugars and dehydrogenase activity were also improved, although germination percentage and leaf score were similar from both strategies. Results suggested that surface drying, rather than re-drying close to original weight, was more effective, while among the treatments, osmohardening with CaCl₂ was the most effective. Increasing rice production with judicious use of water is need of the day, and aerobic rice cultivation is an attractive alternative for this purpose. However, poor and erratic stand establishment is one of the major hindrances in its wide scale adoption. In this regard, seed priming techniques are pragmatic approaches to achieve proper stand establishment in the new rice culture. They help in improving seedling density per unit area under optimal and adverse soil conditions and may be opted to improve the performance of aerobic rice.     

Soak conditions and temperature following sowing influence the response of maize (Zea mays L.) seeds to on-farm priming (pre-sowing seed soak)

On-farm seed priming of maize (i.e. soaking seed in water overnight, 17 h) in the semi-arid tropics has been shown to improve crop establishment and yield but the benefits can be variable. In previous work, this variation was thought to result from the interaction between primed seeds and conditions in the seedbed following sowing. To investigate this interaction, experiments were carried out under controlled temperature conditions that represented those of seedbeds in the semi-arid tropics. The conditions during seed priming and during subsequent germination and emergence were investigated as potential causes of variable seedling emergence relative to that of untreated seeds. Priming advanced emergence from moist sand cores at 30 °C/20 °C (day/night), reduced emergence at 35 °C/28 °C and delayed and reduced emergence at 40 °C/28 °C. In drier cores (drained 8 days) at 35 °C/28 °C, priming advanced germination time and did not decrease final percentage emergence. These results confirmed earlier field observations that the effect of priming in maize can vary and lead to positive, neutral or negative effects. Priming decreased the optimum and ceiling temperatures for germination, and unlike untreated seeds, the relationship between germination rate and sub-optimal temperature was not linear in all cases. Pre-humidifying seeds did not enhance the effect of priming, but aerating the soak water did. These results indicate that variable results from priming recorded in the field were not due to imbibitional damage, but may result from the negative effects of hypoxia during soaking exacerbated by moist conditions and high temperatures at sowing. These effects differed between seedlots of different cultivars, indicating the importance of selecting more tolerant maize hybrids to reduce variation in response to priming following sowing in the field. The implications of these findings for the use of primed seeds in the field are discussed.     

赤霉素、PEG对玉米种子活力的影响

以玉米创奇518陈种子为材料,利用赤霉素（GA₃）、聚乙二醇（PEG）及其复合引发对玉米种子进行处理,研究玉米种子活力的变化。结果表明,不同引发处理间玉米种子的活力指数、发芽势、发芽率及株高均表现出明显的差异。聚乙二醇具有明显提高玉米种子发芽率的作用,赤霉素能够促进植株的生长,提高玉米出苗速度。     

Seed quality as affected by nitrogen during true potato seed production and moisture conditions during storage

The objective was to investigate the effects of moisture conditions in storage at 21 C (± 3) on true potato seed (TPS) germination and seedling vigor. The influence of supplemental nitrogen (N) during seed production on these effects was also studied. One set of TPS was stored exposed to ambient humid (> 80% RH) air; the other was stored dry (sealed with silica gel). Germination tests were performed at 7, 11, and 14 months of seed storage. Seedling vigor tests were made at 14, 20, and 23 months. The rate of germination was mostly affected by the moisture conditions during storage. Seed stored dry germinated faster than TPS stored in humid ambient air. The rate of germination increased with time in storage and the percentage of germination was always high (≥ 95%) in dry seed produced with high N. Seedling vigor was mostly affected by N treatments during seed production. High-N seed had a much higher rate and percentage of emergence and seedling dry-weight levels than low-N seed, particularly when stored dry. Seedling vigor criteria decreased with time in storage in low-N seed; in high-N seed, the rate of emergence increased and the percentage of emergence was always high (≥ 95%). In conclusion, the TPS should be produced with high N and stored dry for sowing under unfavorable conditions.     

Effects of ‘on-farm seed priming’ on consecutive daily sowing occasions on the emergence and growth of maize in semi-arid Zimbabwe

On-farm seed priming (seed soaking) has been reported to improve crop establishment, growth and yield. However, the physiological processes leading to these benefits are not well understood. In this paper, we report how priming affected emergence and growth of maize in semi-arid Zimbabwe. In both the 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 growing seasons, primed and non-primed maize was sown on eight consecutive days into an initially moist seedbed, and soil moisture, crop emergence and growth were monitored. Plants that emerged on the same day from primed and non-primed seeds were tagged, so that any effect of priming on crop growth could be tested independently of the effect of priming on timing of emergence. In the 1999/2000 season, priming increased final emergence in all eight sowing occasions, leading to a 14% increase in crop stand. In the 2000/2001 season, priming increased final emergence in six sowing occasions but decreased it in the other two, so that the overall effect of priming was not significant. Priming decreased mean time to 50% emergence by 12 h in the 1999/2000 season and by 24 h in the 2000/2001 season. The differences in the effect of priming between sowing occasions were interpreted in terms of the soil physical conditions. There was little effect of priming on growth, time to flowering and maturity, or yield of plants that had emerged on the same day from primed or non-primed seed. It was concluded that priming benefits result from improved crop stand and from advancement of germination and emergence.     

多巴胺引发对盐胁迫下水稻种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

[目的]探讨多巴胺(Dopamine,DA)引发对盐胁迫下水稻种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.[方法]以新疆自育水稻品种新稻17号为研究对象,分别用0(纯水)、0.1、0.5、1、1.5 mg/L的DA溶液(分别用S0、S0.1、S0.5、S1、S1.5表示)引发种子,采用浓度为100 mmol/L的NaCl溶液模拟盐胁迫,...     

The influence of abscisin II and gibberellic acid on the sprouting of excised potato buds

Summary It was shown that abscisin II at low concentration (0.5–10⁻⁵ M) has a significant growth inhibiting effect on the sprouting of excised potato buds. The growth accelerating effect of GA is partly suppressed by abscisin II. No effect could be observed on the length of the dormant period. GA seems to have a negative influence on the root formation. Combined treatment with GA and abscisin II nearly completely inhibited root formation.     

引发剂结合固体基质引发对三倍体西瓜种子发芽性能的影响

种子发芽出苗率低是制约三倍体无籽西瓜生产的主要原因。试验以红小玉为材料,用0.1%H2O2,0.1%CuSO4+2%KNO3+KH2PO4混合液和20 m g/kg的GA3丙酮溶液作引发剂,在固体基质中吸湿32 h后回干,通过砂床发芽试验,测定种子萌发率和幼苗素质。结果表明,种子萌发率提高了44.6~62.4个百分点,并显著提高了发芽势、幼苗鲜重和根系活力。其中,GA引发处理的种子发芽率达88.23%,与破壳处理(CK 1)接近,比未处理(CK 2)提高了62.47个百分点;3种处理的苗鲜重均显著高于CK 1和CK 2,处理间差异不显著;3种处理均显著提高了幼苗根系活力,以0.1%H2O2处理效果最佳。3种引发剂结合固体基质引发处理,均可有效提高三倍体西瓜种子萌发率,并为培育壮苗奠定了基础。在固体基质处理过程中,西瓜种子吸水缓慢,给细胞膜的修复提供了时间,是种子可以达到引发促萌的原因之一。     

Selection against inbred seedlings in mixtures of inbred and hybrid true potato seed

Summary The effect of selection against weak plants was studied in artificial mixtures of hybrid (S₀), first self-pollinated generation (S₁), and second self-pollinated generation (S₂), true potato seed. Selection of vigorous seedlings in true seed populations raised in flats from mixtures of S₀ (25%), S₁ (50%), and S₂ (25%) seed increased the frequency of hybrids to 71%. In another study, two mixtures of S₀ and S₁ seed (1∶3 and 1∶1) were densely sown in beds to produce seedling tubers. Elimination of weak plants during population thinning and subsequent interplant competition significantly reduced the frequency of inbred plants. The resulting seedling tuber progenies were planted in the field and mean yields from the two mixtures of S₀ and S₁ seed were 96% and 99% of related completely hybrid progenies. The implications of these results for TPS production are discussed.     

Kenaf seed storage duration on germination,emergence, and yield

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a potential alternative crop being developed for fiber production. Because planting area varies dramatically from year to year, seed supplies may greatly exceed use so that the excess seed must be stored for one to several years. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of seed storage duration at 10 °C on germination, vigor, emergence, and yield. Replicated trials were established at Starkville, MS in 1999 and 2000 to evaluate field emergence and biomass yield of kenaf seed from five ‘Everglades 41’ (‘E41’) harvest year seed lots stored at 10 °C in ambient relative humidity for up to 4 years. Germination of these same seed lots under standard (20–30 °C) and cool (20 °C) temperatures, and seed vigor was evaluated over time. Field emergence was the same for the different seed storage durations up to 4 years, but was directly affected by drought conditions for each planted year. Biomass yields ranged from 12.39 to 14.57 Mg ha⁻¹ in 1999 and 16.82 to 18.47 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2000, but were not different between storage durations. Seed germination remained greater than 80% regardless of storage duration. Electrolyte leakage, based on conductivity, was 38–50% less with freshly harvested seed than seed stored for 4 years at 10 °C. However, neither the conductivity nor accelerated aging test were reliable predictors of field emergence. Kenaf seed stored up to 4 years at 10 °C retained germination rates acceptable for commercial use. Neither field emergence nor biomass yield was affected by seed storage duration.     

浸种和外源激素处理对毛马齿苋种子发芽的影响

为提高毛马齿苋种子播种出苗率,分析不同时间浸种以及采用GA3、NAA和6-BA 3种外源激素处理对其种子发芽的影响。结果表明：浸种处理没有提高毛马齿苋种子的发芽势和发芽率的效果;GA3、NAA和6-BA三种激素浸种处理均能提高毛马齿苋种子的发芽势和发芽率;最适宜的浸种浓度分别为GA3 30 mg/L、10～20 mg/L NAA或6-BA 30 mg/L。其中GA3有效浓度范围较宽泛,建议采用,但GA3处理不能解除该种子发芽的需光性。     

种子成熟度对黑花生出苗及生育后期光合特性的影响

为明确种子成熟度对黑花生生长的影响,本研究以黑花生品种黔花生七号为试验材料,设4个种子成熟度,采用室内与大田相结合的方式,研究不同成熟度黑花生种子发芽、出苗、生育后期光合特性以及产量的变化。结果表明：不成熟（T1）的花生籽仁作种子,植株长势弱,光合速率低;较成熟（T2）和成熟（T3）的花生籽仁作为种子,其光合同化能力强,光合速率高。随种子成熟度的增加,花生发芽势、发芽率和出苗率均呈先增加后降低趋势,且在T3处理下各指标值最大, T2、T3、T4（过成熟）处理发芽势、发芽率和出苗率均显著高于T1;除结果枝数外,花生产量及农艺性状均随种子成熟度的增加呈先增加后降低的趋势,在处理T3下荚果产量显著高于其他处理。因此,选用成熟的黑花生作为种子,其出苗好,光同化能力强,净光合速率高,荚果产量高。     

VARIATIONS IN SEED QUALITY BETWEEN CERTIFIED SEED LOTS OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO NITROGEN SUPPLY AND MOISTURE STATUS DURING SEED DEVELOPMENT

Ten Certified Seed lots of S23 perennial ryegrass produced in different counties in England during 1966, and ten lots produced in 1972, were examined for differences in characters affecting seed quality. The 1966 seed lots differed significantly in 1000–seed weight, germination rate, N content of the seed and seedling dry weight, and there was a significant correlation between seed N content and the seedling weight of the progeny. In both S23 and S24 perennial ryegrass N applied at inflorescence emergence or at anthesis increased N content of the seed and seedling dry weight. In S24 application of N at anthesis increased 1000–seed weight also. When plants of S23 perennial ryegrass were subjected to reduced moisture supplies their seed N content was increased. It is concluded that late N applications to grass seed crops may affect seed quality.     

The effects of density, date of inflorescence emergence, date of harvesting and temperature upon seed quality in tetraploid hybrid ryegrasses

Thousand-seed weight, germination and seedling dry weight were measured in some tetraploid hybrid ryegrasses to study variations in seed quality. In cv. Sabrina, seed from spaced plants had a higher 1000-seed weight and seedling dry weight, and a slower germination rate than seed from narrow drills. Seed from later emerging groups of inflorescences had a low 1000-seed weight and seedling dry weight, but a high germination rate. Seeds of cv. Sabrina, Leri and Augusta harvested at between 10 and 25 d after peak anthesis had low 1000-seed weights, low germination rates and low seedling dry weights. Air temperatures between inflorescence emergence and seed maturity also affected seed quality; an increase in temperature from a 15°/10°C regime to a constant 25°C environment reduced 1000-seed weight and seedling dry weight, but increased germination rate. It is concluded that year-to-year variation in seed characters will occur because of temperature and other climatic changes, but seed quality can also be influenced by the time at which the seed is harvested. If combine harvesting is carried out at a moisture concentration of about 400 g kg^-1 (≡40%) then maximum yields of seed of a high quality should be obtained.     

Flowering and true seed production in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). 1. Effects of inflorescence position,nitrogen treatment,and harvest date of berries

Summary Flowering and true seed production from different order inflorescences in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were evaluated in two experiments. The number of flowers per inflorescence, berry set, berry weight, number of seeds per berry and seed weight generally decreased from primary inflorescences to tertiary inflorescences and inflorescences on lateral stems. The possible relation with carbohydrate distribution is discussed. Quality of the seeds produced from the different orders of inflorescences was a function of seed size; larger seeds showed better germination, emergence and seedling growth. Late harvest of berries increased berry weight and number of seeds per berry from primary inflorescences. Application of additional nitrogen during the flowering period did not affect flowering or differences between inflorescence positions in seed production, but it significantly decreased the number of seeds per berry. The practical implications of these results for true seed production are discussed.     

Effect of soil solarization on true potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) seed germination, seedling growth, weed population and tuber yield

Summary True potato seed of 17 progenies were evaluated during 2002-03 and 2003-04 crop seasons for 12 characters related to seed germination, seedling growth and weed population in nursery beds and tuber yield of transplanted seedlings under non-solarized field conditions. Solarization was found to have beneficial effect on seed germination, seedling growth and yield of transplanted seedlings. Total weeds and major annual weedCornopus didymus were reduced to a great extent due to solarization. However solarization had no effect onCyperus rotundus. Progenies also showed significant differences among themselves for the various characters studied. The progeny x solarization interaction was also significant for all the characters. Yield increase in present study shows that the approach involving raising of seedlings in solarized nursery beds and subsequent transfer of seedlings to non-solarized field would be cost-effective and profitable for raising true seed crop of potato.     

特用玉米种子沙引发处理对其萌发及幼苗生理特性的影响

以糯玉米、爆裂玉米和甜玉米3种特用玉米为材料,测定沙引发处理后种子萌发指标、幼苗形态和生理指标的变化。结果表明,沙引发能显著提高糯玉米和甜玉米的种子活力,对3种特用玉米的幼苗生长具有显著的促进作用,但对种子发芽率无显著影响。沙引发处理显著提高了3种类型特用玉米幼苗的过氧化物酶(POD)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,显著降低了丙二醛(MDA)含量。沙引发效果受基因型影响,对种子萌发的促进作用表现为糯玉米>甜玉米>爆裂玉米;对幼苗生长的促进作用表现为甜玉米>爆裂玉米>糯玉米。沙引发能够提高幼苗体内抗氧化酶的活性,从而增强幼苗对外界环境的适应能力。     

Dependence on exogenous gibberellin for seed germination inSolanum acaule Bitter and otherSolanum (potato) species

Certain seed populations of the wild potato speciesSolanum acaule Bitter were identified as having consistent qualitative dependence on 6A to germinate. This was true for both germination in petri plates and in greenhouse conditions. The effect could be transmitted across sexual generations. Progeny from crosses with GA-independent populations were intermediate, with no consistent reciprocal effect. A broad survey of 2,580 populations including 60 potato species indicated that significant dependence on GA also exists in other species. This trait may have physiological and evolutionary implications worth further investigation. Recognizing that populations of some species are highly dependent on GA allows genebank managers and other potato scientists to accurately assess seed viability and avoid inadvertent selection against useful traits which may be linked.