The effect of seed hydropriming duration on germination and biochemical indices of deteriorated Kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schard) seeds

The deterioration of the seed is a natural phenomenon, and seeds tend to lose quality and viability even under optimal storage conditions. The ability of hydropriming to ameliorate seed deterioration damage was studied in kochia. The experiment was a completely randomized design with four replications. Kochia seeds were subjected to accelerated ageing for 48 hours at 40 °C and then hydroprimed at 20 °C for 1.5, 3 and 4.5 hours. Regardless of duration, hydropriming significantly improved final germination percentage, germination rate, seedling length, vigour index, antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and superoxide dismutase), soluble sugars and proteins of aged seeds. Mean germination time and malondialdehyde content of primed seeds decreased compared to non-primed seeds. Hydropriming for 1.5, 3 and 4.5 hours increased final germination to 15, 23 and 37 %, germination rate by 45.4, 72.7 and 109 % and superoxide dismutase activityby 8.6, 14 and 27 % compared to non-primed seed, respectively. Thus, hydropriming for 4.5 hours is the most suitable priming period to recover loss of kochia seed quality and to improve germination characteristics of deteriorated seeds.