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During the period 2021–2022 in the Institute of Forage Crops - Pleven was established the influence of pre-sowing treatment (priming) of seeds with Siliplant under laboratory conditions on the initial development of three varieties of alfalfa grown by conventional ("Dara" and "Pleven 6") and BSP5A001 biological method. Laboratory seed germination and primary plant development in vitro conditions and their response were evaluated using the complex plant growth index (GI) of the cultivars included in the study. It was established that the recommended working concentration for pre-sowing treatment of alfalfa seeds with Siliplant for field conditions is in the range of 0.5÷0.6%, determining a complex stimulating effect on the growth of the root, epicotyl, and seedling, respectively and on the initial development of alfalfa in the "sowing-emergence" period. By means of polynomial regression analysis, equivalence was established between stimulating and/or depressing effect on seedling growth as a result of the pre-sowing treatment of alfalfa seeds with Siliplant, expressed by the plant development index (GI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Sorghum is a hosting plant of Melanaphis sacchari/sorghi. The control measures against the insect include the treatment of seeds. However, evaluation of the effect of insecticides on insect populations and the agronomic variables of the crop, are needed. Aim: To evaluate the influence of insecticides clothianidin, thiamethoxan, and imidacloprid during the treatment of hybrid 85 P15 (Pioneer®) seeds on the agronomic variables of the crop and infestation with M. sacchari/sorghi. Methods: The experiment was conducted in the School of Higher Studies in Xalostoc, Mexico, in 2018. Four doses of Poncho®, Cruiser® 5 FS, and Tools® TS in the treatment of hybrid 85 P15 (Pioneer®) seeds. A randomized block experimental design was applied, and the percentage of germination, M. sacchari/sorghi infestation, and agronomic parameters of the crop, were determined. Results: All the parameters achieved more than 90% of germination, which demonstrated that the products and doses did not affect this parameter. Likewise, no differences were observed in the treatments. The use of these insecticides in hybrid seeds had a little influence on aphid infestation. These treatments do not affect the content of chlorophyll, but other parameters, like Brix degree, and the fresh leaf weight were affected. Conclusions: The seed treatment does not reduce the percentage of germination of 85 P15 (Pioneer®) hybrids, a strong control was not achieved over infestation of aphids, but it did affect some agronomic variables; hence, evaluation of other hybrids is recommended.

Magnetic field is a variable abiotic factor, like temperature, air, soil and water that interacts with the living organisms. The use of different types of magnetic field at many different plant species is increasing and the results are promising. A two-year field experiment was established following a completely randomized design, to investigate the effect of pre-sowing magnetic field treatment for 0, 15, 30 and 45 min on three broad bean varieties. The obtained results showed that the treatment of seeds with pulsed electromagnetic field increased germination percentage, chlorophyll content, leaf area, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and dry weight. In general, the exposure of seeds for 15 min, gave the highest values compared to the control treatments for the three varieties used. A very interesting result is the fact that although there was an influence of the exposure of magnetic field on the dry weight of the plants, there was not a positive or a negative influence on the seed yield for both years. This means that magnetic field enhanced the vegetative development of the broad beans, but it had no effect on the reproductive development. The results indicate that magnetic field can be used in the cases that the productive direction of the cultivation of broad beans is for livestock forage and silage, as the pre-sowing treatment of seeds had a positive effect on plant dry weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes seed germination and micropropagation of Senegalia nigrescens, an economic, medicinal and nitrogen-fixing species of South Africa. Seeds of S. nigrescens were subjected to pre-sowing treatments including soaking in cold water for 24 h, sulphuric acid (H2SO4) or hydrochloric acid (HCl) for 4, 8 and 12 min and mechanically scarifying seeds before sowing on Petri plates with wet filter paper. Mechanically-scarified seeds were also sown aseptically on a filter paper bridge, plain agar, ½ or full strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium. Single nodal explants from MS-derived seedlings were grown on MS media supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L−1 of benzylaminopurine (BAP) or kinetin (KIN) and a combination of 0.5 mg L−1 of BAP and KIN to investigate shoot multiplication. No significant differences were observed in the number of shoots produced across all treatments. However, the treatment containing 1.0 mg L−1 KIN produced a significantly higher shoot length (14.17 ± 5.20 mm) than 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L−1 BAP (7.67 ± 3.87, 6.75 ± 2.93 and 8.70 ± 3.56 mm, respectively). The highest rooting rate (16.7%) was obtained on ¼ strength MS supplemented with either indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at concentrations 1.0 and 0.5 mg L−1, respectively. Rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatised with a 66.7% survival rate. The findings from this study would be of great benefit for the commercial propagation of S. nigrescens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicines are in great demand for preliminary health care due to their wide medicinal value, with no side effects. Since many species are used in the system of traditional medicine, scientists have great opportunities to develop appropriate packages of practices for their multiplication and conservation. Abrus precatorius is the native plant of India and used in many ways in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine. This seeds of the species is dormant due to hard seed coat. So the aim of the study is to remove seed dormancy and enhance germination capacity within a short period. To overcome the problem of dormancy, seeds were scarified by seed scarifier and sand paper and also treated with acid (H2SO4) and hot water just before sowing. 60-95% germination was achieved under different treatment conditions while the seeds without any treatment fail to germinate. The highest (95%) germination was observed just 12 days after sowing in seeds treated with concentrated H2SO4 for 120 minutes. 70-75% germination was achieved when the seeds were treated with acid for 105 and 135 minutes. Seeds treated with con. H2SO4 for 150, 90 and 60 minutes and also scarified by sand paper showed similar results with 60-65% germination. The seeds scarified by a mechanical scarifier and treated with hot water did not show more than 32.5% germination.

Researchers have focused their efforts on the use of magnetic field as a pre-sowing method, as it is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly technique. This study provides a holistic approach of an agricultural cultivation that can lead to the comprehension of the exact mechanism of magnetic field effect on plant and lead to the appropriate application of magnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic field was used for 0, 15, 30 and 45 min as a pre-sowing treatment in durum wheat seeds in a field experiment for three years. The experiment followed a completely randomized design, with four treatments (Control, MF-15, MF-30 and MF-45), two cultivars and three replications. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of magnetic field exposure on durum wheat seeds, covering a complete range of agronomic characteristics. The results obtained in this three-year experiment showed a positive impact of pulsed electromagnetic field, in durum wheat cultivation. Magnetic field has been found to enhance germination, tillering, dry weight, leaf area, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and yield of two durum wheat cultivars. Duration of 30 and 45 min of pre-sowing magnetic field treatment gave the best results. Regarding yield measurement, all magnetic field treatments (MF-15, MF-30 and MF-45) gave statistically significantly higher values compared to control. In addition, α-amylase activity measurements showed that magnetic field affects enzymes and this could possibly explain the improved germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of pre-sowing treatments and environments on seed germination and seedling growth of guava (Psidium guajava L.). The study revealed that pre-soaking of guava seeds in hydrochloric acid (10%) for 2 minutes resulted in maximum seed germination percentage (54.16%). Scraping of seed coat with sand paper + soaking seeds in GA3 50 ppm for 24 hours has enhanced the seedling height (14.02 cm), stem girth (0.26 cm), number of leaves per seedling (15.24) and leaf area (3.38 cm2) while highest root length (6.56 cm) of seedlings were found in scraping of seed coat with sand paper + soaking seeds in GA3 100 ppm for 24 hours. All the germination and growth parameters were found to be the best in protected environment (viz., polyhouse) as compared to open field condition. Sowing of seeds without pre-sowing treatments showed poor results for all parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicines are in great demand for preliminary health care due to their wide medicinal value, with no side effects. Since many species are used in the system of traditional medicine, scientists have great opportunities to develop appropriate packages of practices for their multiplication and conservation. Abrus precatorius is the native plant of India and used in many ways in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine. This seeds of the species is dormant due to hard seed coat. So the aim of the study is to remove seed dormancy and enhance germination capacity within a short period. To overcome the problem of dormancy, seeds were scarified by seed scarifier and sand paper and also treated with acid (H2SO4) and hot water just before sowing. 60-95% germination was achieved under different treatment conditions while the seeds without any treatment fail to germinate. The highest (95%) germination was observed just 12 days after sowing in seeds treated with concentrated H2SO4 for 120 minutes. 70-75% germination was achieved when the seeds were treated with acid for 105 and 135 minutes. Seeds treated with con. H2SO4 for 150, 90 and 60 minutes and also scarified by sand paper showed similar results with 60-65% germination. The seeds scarified by a mechanical scarifier and treated with hot water did not show more than 32.5% germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-sowing treatment of pulsed electromagnetic fields was used in corn seeds, in both indoor and outdoor conditions, in order to investigate the effect on plant growth and yield. The results of this research showed that pulsed electromagnetic fields can enhance plant characteristics, both under controlled environmental conditions and uncontrolled field conditions. The two varieties responded differently in the duration of magnetic field. Seeds were treated for 0, 15, 30, and 45 min with pulsed electromagnetic field ( MF-0, MF-15, MF-30, and MF-45). Common corn variety performed better results in MF-30 treatment, while sweet corn variety performed better in MF-45 treatment. Magnetic field improved germination percentage, vigor, chlorophyll content, leaf area, plant fresh and dry weight, and finally yields. In the very interesting measurement of yield, seeds that have been exposed to magnetic field for 30 and 45 min have been found to perform the best results with no statistical differences among them. Another interesting finding was in root dry weight measurements, where magnetic field has a negative impact in MF-30 treatment in both hybrids, however without affecting other measurements. Enhancements on plant characteristics with economic impact on producer's income could be the future of a modern, organic, and sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two different pre-sowing techniques have been investigated for their influence in an important industrial plant, namely cotton. Priming methods are very useful for agricultural practices because they improve crop seedling establishment, especially when environmental conditions are not optimum. Pulsed electromagnetic fields have been found to promote germination and improve early growth characteristics of cotton seedlings. Such priming techniques are especially valuable in organic cultivation, where chemical compounds are prohibited. PEG treatment showed an enhancement in some measurements, however in some cases the results were not statistically different compared to control plants. In addition, PEG treatment is a sophisticated method that is far from agricultural practices and farmers. In this research, two different ages of seeds were used (1- and 2-year-old) in order to investigate the promotory effects of priming techniques. Magnetic field treatment of 15 min was found to stimulate germination percentage and to promote seeds, resulting in 85% higher values than control seeds under real field conditions. Furthermore, seeds that were treated with magnetic field performed better in terms of early-stage measurements and root characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]