نشریه علوم و فناوری بذر ایران
سال ششم شماره 2 (پیاپی 12، پاییز و زمستان 1396)

In order to evaluatethe the effects of planting arrangment and methods on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of tomato seed (Lycopersiconesculentum, cv. Karoon), a factorial experiment carried out based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at two locations of Khorasan Razavi province in 2012. Three inter row space including 120, 140 and 160 centimeters, three intra plant space including 30, 40 and 50 centimeters, and also two planting methods including one and two row per ridge were selected as treatments. Traits under consideration were fruit and seed yield, number of fruit per plant, number of seed per fruit, thousand seed weight, hectolitre weight, percentage and rate of germination. Compound analysis of variance for locations showed that increasing in inter row space from 120 to 160 centimeters had a significant increase in number of fruit per plant and number of seed per fruit 11.4 and 9.6 percent, respectively. Decreasing in intra plant space from 50 to 30 centimeters showed a significant decrease in number of fruit per plant, number of seed per fruit, thousand seed weight and hectolitre weight 20.7, 11.1, 4.5 and 3.9 percent, respectively. Two row per ridge had a significant decreasing in number of fruit per plant, number of seed per fruit, thousand seed weight and hectolitre weight 6.3, 7.8, 4.1 and 1.8 percent, respectively. The highest and lowest fruit and seed yield were obtained in Rokh (two row per ridge and 120×30 cm planting pattern) and Toroq (one row per ridge and 140×50 cm planting pattern) regions, respectively with 2.7 and 3.1 times difference. Generally, two row arrangement method and 150×30 centimeters planting pattern have positive effect on seed quantity and quality criteria.

Current research aimed to evaluate the effect of nano priming using multi-walled carbon nanotubes on drought tolerance of Caucasian alder. This study was employed a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with four replications. Drought stress was applied in the laboratory, using a solution of polyethylene glycol 6000 at 0, -2, -4, -6, and -8 bar on the primed seeds with concentrations of 0, 10, 30, 50 and 100 mg l-1 of carbon nanotubes. The results showed significant effect of nano priming and drought stress on germination factors such as germination rate and percentage, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight and root to shoot fresh weight at the probability of 99%. The highest germination rate and percentage at all levels of drought stress, was related to100 mg l-1 of nano carbon treatment. The highest fresh weight of root and shoot at all levels of drought stress was related to 30 mg l-1 of nano carbon treatment. According to the results of this experiment it could be concluded that nano-priming improve seed germination characteristics of alder tree under drought stress.

Salt tolerance of six halophytic species (Halocnemum strobilaceum, Halostachysbelangeriana, Salsola tomentosa, Salicornia europea, Halopeplis perfoliata,Salsola crassa) was evaluated at germination stage under NaCl conditions (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%). All seeds showed full germination in 1 and 2% NaCl, comparable to germination in distilled water. By increasing the levels of NaCl, the differences between these species responses were evaluated. The second three species (from coastal zone of the salty lake Maharloo) were more tolerant compared to the first three species (from Gavkhooni deserts). Amongst, S. europea was the most tolerant species. At the second round of experiments and to test the effect of jasmonic acid (JA) on seed germination at high levels of salinity, the seeds were primed with JA (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100µM) and then allowed to germinate in Petri-dishes containing different concentrations of NaCl: 3, 4 and 5% for Gavkhooni species and 4 and 5% for Maharloo species. Priming with 1 µM JA was the most effective to increase germination characters at high levels of salinity. By increasing the concentration of JA (from 10 to 100 µM) the inhibitory effects of JA on seed germination of the mentioned species was appeared.

In order to study the effects of different levels of salinity stress on Salvia leriifoliagermination indices, an experiment was conducted at physiology laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2014. The experiment was arranged based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments were different levels of salinity including 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 mmol, prepared by mixing NaCl and CaCl2 in a 10:1 molar ratio. Evaluated indices were germination percentage and rate, seedling length, germination seedling reduction rate, seedling dry weight and vigor index. Four non-linear regression models (linear, polynomial, 2-piece segmented and Logestic) were compared to describe the germination characteristics in different levels of salinity. The 2-piece segmented model was selected as the best one to predict germination percentage and rate, seedling length, reduction in the rate of germination and vigor index with RMSE 3.22, 0.2, 0.25 and 0.4 and R2 0.99, 0.98, 0.99 and 0.99, and Logistic model was selected as the best model with RMSE 0.01 and R2 0.98 to predict seedling dry weight, respectively. The results showed that by increasing of salinity levels, germination percentage, germination speed, seedling length, dry weight of seedling and vigor index significantly decreased. But there were no significant differences in germination indices up to 90 mmol salinity. Germination of Salvia leriifolia seeds could tolerate up to 90 mmol salinity without any significant decrease in germination properties.

In order to determine the effects of the foliar applicationof ureaand micro elements during growth periods of maternal plants on germination, vigor and greening of produced chickpea seeds (Kabuli), an experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and three replications at the Agricultural Faculty Research Station, Ferdowsi university of Mashhad during 2013-2014. The treatments consisted of foliar applicationat six levels: control (foliar application with water); foliar applicationof urea (2 %); foliar applicationof urea + (2%)  Zinc (2 per thousand); foliar applicationof urea (2%) + Iron sulfate (3 per thousand); foliar applicationof urea (2%) + Zinc (2 per thousand) and iron (3 per thousand); foliar applicationwith urea+ complete fertilizer (3 per thousand micro-elements containing 500 ppm) and foliar applicationwith two levels, sprayed once at the beginning of flowering and sprayed twice namely, one at the beginning of flowering and one at seeding stage that include 12 treatments in total. The result showed that foliar application was not significant on germination percentage and maximum speed of germination using two times  foliar application of urea + Zinc+ iron and foliar applicationwith urea+ complete fertilizer in flowering and seeding time treatments, respectively. Two times offoliar application using urea + zinc + iron had the highest impact on the vigor index.

With attention to the native landscape design value and the using of grasses which play a crucial role in the urban landscape, we carried out two experiments in germinator condition. This investigation was conducted to explore effects of hydro and osmopriming on germination and seedling growth of Lolium rigidum. The first experiment was carried out as completely randomized design with 4 treatments and replications. The treatments include: dry seed (control) and seed soaking in distilled water in three times 12, 24 and 48 hours, respectively. The second factorial experiment was carried out as completely randomized design with four replications.  First factors included three levels of priming (seeds treated with distilled water, seeds treated with KNo3 0.2% and NaCl 45 dS/m), the second factor included three levels of time (12, 24 and 48 hours). In this research some seed germination indices such as germination percentage, germination speed, length of root and shoot, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, mean germination time and vigor index were measured. The results of the first experiment showed that the effect of seed priming with distilled water was significant (P<0.01) than control at all times on most traits. The results of the second experiment showed that osmopriming especially KNo3 for 12 hours improved the rate and percentage of germination and growth of the seedling. Totally, osmopriming had more significant effect than control and hydropriming.

The present research was aimed to evaluate the response of wheat vegetative and physiological attributes to seed biopriming by Piriformospora indica (Pi) and Trichoderma virens (Trich). Experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized design with four replicates. Factors were included seven levels of salt stress (0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 mM of NaCl) and four levels of biopriming (control, seed priming by Pi or Trich and dual inoculation by Pi+Trich). Results showed that some measured parameters such as stem diameter, green leaf number per plant, fresh and dry weights of aerial parts and relative water content (RWC) linearly respond to salt stress. These parameters were reduced from 13 to 43 % when salt stress increased from 0 to 240 mM of NaCl. By contrast, some studied parameters such as plant height, stem fresh and dry weights, leaf fresh weight reduced by increasing of salt stress as a segmented equation. Meanwhile, biopriming of Pi and Pi+Trich markedly improved vegetative parameters in addition to RWC in wheat plants. Although, salt stress increased electrolyte leakage seed biopriming could ameliorate its slope as compared to the uninoculated control and therefore prevent its damage to the plant. In conclusion, it seems that seed biopriming of wheat by growth promoting fungi, P. indica and T. virens, positively improved the growth attributes under salt stress conditions.

To study the effects of tillage systems and seed priming on yield and yield components of three soybean cultivars, a field experiment as split factorial structure based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out at Research Field of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran in 2014. The main plots were two tillage systems level (conventional and No-till) and factorial combinations of seed priming at two levels (priming with 0.4 of Potassium nitrate and No-priming) and three soybean genotypes (Williams, L17 and Nekador) were assigned in sub-plots. Results showed that tillage system × priming interaction was significant (p ≤0.01) seedling establishment. The highest value of plant density (25.3 plants per meter square) was related to non-priming in conservation tillage system. Also, seed priming reduce grain yield in both conventional and conservation tillage systems. Results showed that grain yield significantly decreased by seed priming (3.09 and 1.39 kg ha-1 in non-prime and primed seeds, respectively). In the most traits, except number of grain per pod, plant height and harvest index, Williams cultivar was better than L17 and Nekador cultivars. Since grain filling period of Nekador cultivar was occured at cold tempratures, this cultivar couldn’t produce its potential yield. The highst value of grain yield (3559 kg.ha-1) was related to Williams cultivar in conventional tillage system. Also, in conservation tillage system, the highst value of grain yield was attained in L17 cultivars that don’t showed significant difference with other cultivars. In conservation tillage systems, yield losses by soil compaction can be compensated by higher seeding density

In order to evaluate different nonlinear regression models for estimating cardinal temperatures of Lepyrodiclis holosteoides as an invasive weed, an experiment was carried out at Biodiversity Laboratory of Environmental Sciences Research Institute at Shahid Beheshti University. 8 germination temperatures (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) and humidity potential (0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6 and -0.8 MPa) with four replications. Were arranged in a completely randomized design with for replications. Then, germination rate and percentage of seeds were measured. To predict the response of germination rate to temperature in Lepyrodiclis holosteoides, some regression models including dent-like, segmented, beta (four and five parameters) were applied. Some statistical estimators like Root Mean Squared of Error (RMSE), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and coefficient of determination (R2) were used to evaluate goodness of fit for different regression models. Results showed that the highest germination percentage (72%) was obtained at 20 °C. Results also indicated that beta four and five-parameter models were amongst the superior functions in describing the response of germination rate to temperature in Lepyrodiclis holosteoides largely due to their higher R2 (0.99 for both beta models), lower AIC (-73.16 and -73.27) and RMSE (0.0092 and 0.0091). Generally, base, optimum and ceiling cardinal temperatures for Lepyrodiclis holosteoides were estimated 4.29, 19.76 and 37.55 °C for beta four-parameter models and 4.22, 19.72 and 37.83 °C for beta five-parameter model. The findings of the current study (i.e. cardinal temperatures) could be used in prediction of Lepyrodiclis holosteoides germination and emergenceunder various temperatures.

In order to evaluate of seed lots germination in early stages of germination test beginning as a rapid method to evaluate the seed vigour, seed samples from twenty seed lots of oilseed rape, from four varieties (Okapy, Hyola 401, Opera and Licord) produced in 1386 to 1390 was provided. Standard germination test carried out in Seed Research Laboratory and soil emergence of seed lots examined in the Research Greenhouse of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The results showed that the percentages of final germination and normal seedlings and mean germination time had a high correlation (r = 0.84, 0.89 and 0.82, respectively) with the soil emergence of the lots. Germinated percentages in the early days of the test had significant correlation with characteristics of germination and soil emergence of the seedlots. So that, the percentages of germinated seeds on days two and three, correlated with mean germination time (r= 0.97 and 0.92) and with normal seedlings (r = 0.88 and 0.81) and with soil emergence (r = 0.83 and 0.83) respectively. Therefore, the percentages of germinated seeds in the early stages of germination can be used as an alternative and rapid method to assess the final germination, normal seedlings, mean germination time hence seed vigour of oilseed rape.

In order to Study on effect of pelleting on flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tobacco L.)K326 cultivar various seed size germination and seedling emergence,  this research conducted at Tirtash Tobacco Research and Education Center (in Behshahr) in 2014 by employing pan coater pelleting machine based on completely randomized design by four replication. First, seeds were cleaned and then primed by KNO3three percent concentration solution. Consequently, seeds pelletedby a composition of insecticide and fungicidesand a powder containing various materials. Pelleted seeds after drying, by 1, 1.5 and 2 mm round holesieves separated to three seed diameter size and in companion with crud (naked) and pelleted in other country seeds were experiment treatments. Also for evaluating effect of storage duration effect on studied traits, seeds stored for one year in 10centigrade degree. Normal seedlings percent immediately and one year after pelleting andcoefficient of velocity of germination immediately after seeds pelletingby standard germination test and seedling emergence percent in nursery immediately and one year after seeds pelleting were determined.Results showed, two mm diameter pelleted seeds had the lowest normal seedlings percent and seedling emergencepercent in nursery immediately and one year after seeds pelleting and coefficient of velocity of germination immediately after seeds pelleting. Also, the most amounts of this traits belonged to not pelleted seeds and pelleted seeds germination ability and seedling emergence did not significantly decreased after one year after pelleting. Based on this research results pelletted seed with 1.5mm diameter had better germination ability and seedling emergence

In order to study on effect of hybrid maize single cross 704 having different primary germination percent various seed shapes on vigor and seedling field emergence, research was conducted at Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute (SPCRI) seed analysis laboratory and research field at Karaj in 2012. In laboratory, flat, medium and round having primary germination 88, 90, and 92 percent seeds vigor assessed by five vigor tests including radical emergence, electrical conductivity, cold, brick grit (Hiltner) and accelerated aging tests and germination percent after 66 and 144 h. in radicle emergence rate test, electrical conductivity and final germination and normal seedlings percent, seedling length and dry weight, seedling vigor length and weight Indices determined. In field seedling emergence percent and rate and cumulative rate and seedling length and weight vigor indices measured.  The results showed flat seed with 92 percent primary seed germination in comparison with other studied seed shapes and primary seed germination percent, had higher related to seed germination ability and vigor indices. In spite of which primary seed germination percent and various seed shapes effect on related to seedling field emergence indices was not significant, for the reason significant correlation of radical emergence percent after 144 h. in radicle emergence rate test and seedling field emergence percent and cumulative emergence rate, radicle emergence rate test could be effectively used for field seedling emergence and establishment.

In order to study effectpretreatment salicylic acid under drought stress on germination characteristics this research was conducted in May 1393. Barley seed varieties Zahak after soaking in solution [zero (water) 0.7 1.2 and 2.7 mM ) of salicylic acid (SA) for 24 hours under conditions of drought stress on the germination dishes. Containing 10 ml of a solution of polyethylene glycol (6000) with potentials [zero (control), -0.5 MPa, 1 MPa and 1.5 MPa] moved, and related traits were determined germination. The results showed that the maximum effect of salicylic acid on germination time, reduce stress levels were low. The highest germination percentage (93 %) and the effective yield of seed soaking with the minimum concentration of salicylic acid 0. 7 mM ) and low levels of stress were gained. Vigor and Seedling vigor index at high concentrations of salicylic acid and high levels of stress decreased. In this study, drought stress reduced the germination traits and salicylic acid reduces the adverse effect of drought stress on germination was related traits.

In order to evaluation the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on germination and primary growth of Darcocephalum  moldavica L. an experiment in completely randomized design was conducted in the laboratory of agronomy science of Shahrekord University. Treatments were included control (no bacterial inoculation), inoculated with Rhodococcus sp., Corynebacterium sp., Mycobacterium sp., Bacillus sp., Azotobacter sp., Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria and inoculated with a mixture of all bacteria. Results showed that a significantly effect of bacterial treatments on germination percentage, germination rate, mean germination time, germination rate index, half maximal activation level (T50), length and radical weight, shoot and seedling, vigor index and Allometric coecifficient at 1% probability level. Bacillus sp. bacterial inoculation treatment had the most influence on mean germination time, germination rate index, half maximal activation level (T50), length and radical weight, shoot and seedling, and vigor index traits. Bacteria incubation treatment of Rhodococcus sp. and Pseudomonasfluorescence hadthe most effect on germination speed and germination percentage, respectively. The results showed that bacterial inoculation treatments as biopriming can improve the germination and primary growth indices of D. moldavica herb.

In this research effect of priming types was investigated on the activity of antioxidant enzymes including Catalase (CAT), Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Malone dialdehyde (MDA) and Gluthation reductase (Gred) in hybrid maize single cross 704 under drought stress. Treatments were drought at 4 levels (0, -3, -6 and -9 bar) and priming (Hormone, hydro, osmo, ascorbic and control). Germination percentage, seedling vigor and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were measured. Results showed that interaction of drought and priming was significant an all traits except of germination percentage. The highest seedling vigor (15.996) obtained from control condition. The highest CAT activity (35 μmol min-1 mg-1) observed in ascorbic acid priming at -9 bar drought stress. Also, the highest APX activity was related to hormone priming and -9 bar. While the lowest activity observed in control drought and osmo-priming. The highest amount of MDA achieved in -9 bar and control priming. The highest SOD activity observed in -9 bar. The highest Gred activity obtained by ascorbic acid priming at -9 bar.

At present experiment, the effects of moist stratification duration (at 7+1 oC) on seed germination and early seedling growth of three genotype of wild almond (Prunus scoparia) from Khuzestan province (southwest of Iran) were investigated. The seeds of P. scoparia were selected from wild almond trees in Masjed Sloeyman, Izeh and Dezful regions. After tip pinching, seeds of each genotype were stratified for 0, 15, 30 and 45 days. Results of germination test showed that stratification for 45 days increased seed germination percentage, seed germination rate and early seedling growth of all three genotype. The highest germination percentage were 68, 69 and 71 for Masjed Sloeyman, Izeh and Dezful, respectively. Seedling growth indices of each genotype (vigor index, root and shoot length and seedling dry weight) were increased after stratification for 30 to 45 days and also differences among responses of genotypes were statistically significant. The lowest germination vigor (0 and 43.75, respectively) were observed in seeds of Masjed Sloeyman and Dezful without stratification after 15 days stratification and for seeds of Masjed Sloeyman (84.5) after 30 days. Overall, results indicated that the stratification for 45 days after removal of seed coat and origin of seed significantly affect the germination and early seedling growth of P. scoparia genotypes form Khuzestan.

This study was conducted to investigate the  role  of water and polyamines (PAs) as priming  agents on  improving seed vigour and chilling tolerance with  different  moisture  content (Mc)(14.0,16.0,18.0%) under chilling conditions in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) c.v Usef. Experiments were conducted at the seed and Plant certification and Registration Research Institute in 2013 -2014. The seeds were hand harvested at three initial moisture contents including 18, 16, and 14%  wet weight basis .The seed samples then were sealed in polythene bags and stored in conditioned storage and equilibrium for 8 months. After that for seed priming, seeds were soaked in 20mg/L-1 (w/v) aerated solution of spermine (Spm), Puterscine (Put), and Spermidine (Spd) and distilled water (W) for 16h at 20±2C°. After each treatment, Seeds dried to original moisture level in forced air and sealed in polythene bags, stored in a conditioned storage again until one month. Experimental units were arranged as factorial in a completely randomized design with four replications after treat. The results indicated that Mc18% improved the germination percentage (GP) and seedling vigour compared to Mc 16 and 14%. The electrolyte leakage decreased in seeds harvested by Mc 18% when compared with Mc16 and Mc 14.0%. Also seed treatments significantly increased the seed viability. Likewise, in chilling stress condition maximum proline content and areal dry weight were obtained from Put treat, whereas the lowest electrolyte leakage was recorded for Put treat. Meanwhile, interaction between seed moisture content ×PAs treatment in cold condition significantly affected on plumule length and radicle dry weight, statistically maximum plumule length and radicle dry weight were recorded from Put ×18.0% mc. Also seed priming with water had positive effect on seedling growth after chilling stress.  Generally, the effectiveness of PAs on improving chilling tolerance and increasing seedling vigor was more pronounced in Put treatment along with sample with 18.0% mc.

The aim of this study was to quantify the response of germination rate to temperature and to find cardinal temperatures required for different germination percentiles in Papaver somniferum. Four models of non-linear regression [Quadratic, Segmented, Beta and Dent-like] were evaluated to describe the relationships between germination rate and temperature of P. somniferum over 7 constant temperatures (3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 ˚C). Different statistical indices [Root Mean Squares of Error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2)] were used to compare models performance. The Dent-like was found to be the best model to predict germination rate (RMSE=000.35, R2=0.87). The base, sub optimum, supra optimum and the ceiling temperatures for P.somniferum  seed germination were estimated 3, 7, 20 and 31˚C, respectively. The cardinal temperatures depended on the model used for their estimation. Overall, Dent-like was better suited than the other models to estimate the cardinal temperatures for germination of P. somniferum seed. The highest germination percentage (72) and germination rate (0.86) was observed in 10 and 15 ˚C, respectively.

Bio-priming and application of bio-fertilizer has special importance in crop production and sustainable soil fertility. Growth and quality improvement with environment-friendly microorganism have been proved in crops. In order to evaluation of bio-priming possibility in seed improvement of sugar beet cultivars, effects of two bacteria species including Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida on seed germination and growth indices were evaluated. Experiment was directed as factorial in randomized complete block design with four replication, there in experimental factors were bacteria species including Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida and no bacteria as control for first factor, and beet cultivars including Pars, Torbat and line 31782 as second factor. Germination percentage affected with cultivar, bio-priming and their interaction, but germination rate was only affected by bio-priming. The highest germination percentage and was related to Pseudomonas putida and Pars cultivar. Application of bacteria increased germination rate versus control. Other mean comparison showed that Pseudomonas fluorescens increased root length, shoot length and seedling length and Pars and Torbat cultivars has more root and shoot length rather than Line 31782. Bio-prime with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida enhanced Vigor Index I, but Vigor Index II was only affected by cultivar. Pars and Torbat cultivar had higher germination traits and Vigor Index I and II to Line 31782 and showed more reactions to treatments. Generally, Bio-primingtreatments affected sugar beet cultivars versus control. Both bacterial strain act identically but Pseudomonas putida had more effects on cv. Pars.

There are several limitations in reproduction of Fritilaria imperilais using tissue tissue culture, lamination and bulb division. In this study, we designed a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block for evaluating the effects of several treatments such as cold duration (0, 4 and 8 weeks), concentrations of GA3 (0, 250 and 500 ppm) and application time in three steps (before, during and after stratification). The results showed that the seeds were highly germinated using 8 weeks stratification compares to others. Moreover, 500ppm gibberllin before stratifications significantly increased percentage of germination, Vigor Index Ι, length of radical, plumule, seedling and seedling dry weight, however significantly decreased E50. The results also showed that increasing the GA3 from 250 to 500ppm had significantly positive effect on all the traits. This study indicates that 8 weeks stratification along with 500ppm is more likely to increase the germination index of Fritilaria imperilais.