Effects of water supply methods and incubation on germination of China aster (Callistephus chinensis) seeds
article
The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of three methods of water supply and the following incubation time on germination properties of China aster seeds. Seeds were moistened up to 30-40% by 1) soaking in excessive amount of water, 2) soaking in limited amount of water and 3) matriconditioning. Afterwards the imbibed seeds were incubated for 1-10 days at 20°C and aerated daily. Thereafter, they were dried down to the initial moisture content of seeds (8.2%). The germination percentage, time for the first seed to germinate (T1), time to reach 50% of germination (T50) of Gmax, time between 10 and 90% of Gmax (T 90-T10) and dynamics of germination at 5, 20 and 35°C were evaluated for these seeds. The results showed that, irrespective of the water supply method used, imbibing seeds up to 37.5% m.c., and incubation at 20°C for up to 8 days had the most favorable effect on speed and uniformity of seed germination. However, the most profitable in terms of speed germination (T1 and T50) was soaking of seeds in limited water amount, while the best germination uniformity (T90-T10) was observed for seeds soaked in excessive water amount. Our results show that the final moisture content of conditioned seeds and length of incubation are the critical factors for effectiveness of this treatment, in terms of the evaluated germination factors.
Topics
TNO Identifier
240553
ISSN
02510952
Source
Seed Science and Technology, 35(3), pp. 569-576.
Pages
569-576
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