Effect of Biostimulators on Sunflower Germination Energy and Seed Germination.

The aim of this paper was to examine the effect of biostmulators on seed quality parameters - germination energy and germination, depending on the genotype and age of sunflower seeds. Testing has been conducted at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops on four cytoplasmic male sterile lines: OCMS-98 (L1), HA-NS-26 (L2), PH-BC2-74 (L3) and VL-A-8 (L4). Seed was produced in the period from 2010 to 2012. Two seed variants were tested - treated with metalaxyl-m and non-treated. Prior to sowing, seed was treated with fertilizes Slavol S, Bioplant Flora, and their combination. Selecting the right biostimulator for a particular genotype may lead to increased germination energy and germination, which has the positive effect on the number of plants per unit area, and hence the yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]