The Effect of Exposure to Ascending/Descending Imbibition Temperatures in Saline Solutions on Shoot and Root Growth Allocation in Germinating Sorghum Seed |
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Authors: | M A Kader S C Jutzi |
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Institution: | Authors' addresses: Dr M. A. Kader (corresponding author;e-mail: ), Consultica Worldwide, PO Box 3089, Tamarama, NSW 2026, Australia;Prof. Dr S. C. Jutzi, Animal Production and Health Division, FAO, Vialle di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy |
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Abstract: | Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) seeds were examined to determine the influence of exposure to ascending and descending imbibition temperature regimes on plumule and radicle axes behaviour of seed after treatment. Treatments included soaking in distilled water, 4.5 % NaCl or 4.5 % KCl for 3 days at three ascending or descending temperatures ranging from 11 to 21 °C. Root growth was enhanced by descending temperatures (21, 16 and 11 °C) over the 3‐day period, whereas ascending temperatures (11, 16 and 21 °C) increased growth differences between shoots and roots. Shoot–root growth was affected by imbibition temperature to a greater extent than germination. However, seed soaking treatments in NaCl or KCl did not improve root or shoot growth, but did improve germination rates. |
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Keywords: | imbibition temperature root growth seed treatment shoot growth |
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