Recently, non-thermal technologies have emerged as a means to ensure the safety of agricultural products while also promoting plant growth and reducing pathogenic and chemical contamination of seeds. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of various treatments on the germination characteristics of alfalfa seeds. The experiment utilised a completely randomised design with five treatments and three replications, including cold plasma exposure, direct current (DC) electromagnetic field, magnetic field, and a combination of plasma exposure with magnetic and electromagnetic fields. The treated seeds were compared to the control seeds (without exposure) in terms of seedling length, germination rate index (GRI), vigor index, and seed germination. The results indicated that cold plasma treatment and a combination of plasma and magnetic field treatment significantly increased the germination rate compared to the control and other treatments. Furthermore, the combined treatment of plasma and electromagnetic fields, as well as the individual treatment with magnetic fields, resulted in a significant increase in root length and, consequently, the allometric coefficient. Non-thermal technologies are a promising approach to enhancing seed performance, particularly in terms of the rate of germination and seedling length.

ABSTRACT: Cycas revoluta seeds exhibit both physical and morphological dormancy, posing significant challenges to their germination. This study investigated the morphological characteristics and dormancy mechanisms of C. revoluta seeds and evaluated methods to overcome these dormancies. Seeds were harvested over two consecutive years and subjected to different treatments. A morphological analysis of seed structure was conducted, along with assessments of physical (seed size, weight, and moisture content) and physiological tests (germination rate, germination speed, and mean time of germination).Morphological characterization revealed that the thick, woody sclerotesta forms an impermeable barrier, while the embryos within are often underdeveloped at the time of seed maturity. Germination of the first year demonstrated that removing the sclerotesta significantly enhances germination rates, with naked seeds achieving a 70% germination rate at 30 °C. In the second year, soaking naked seeds in gibberellic acid at 200 ppm for 24 hours further promoted germination, though its effect was modest compared to sclerotesta removal (naked seed). This study also demonstrated that storing seeds for a year allowed embryos to complete their development, further improving germination outcomes. These findings suggested that mechanical removal of the sclerotesta, combined with optimal storage conditions, is an effective strategy for overcoming dormancy in C. revoluta seeds and soak time in gibberellic acid (200 ppm) or water for 24 hours could enhance germination as well.

ABSTRACT Seed coating is a common practice in treating corn seeds and polymers are used to improve seed performance in terms of physical, physiological, and health quality. However, adverse environmental impacts caused by using non-renewable and non-biodegradable polymers are driving the search for alternatives to overcome these effects, such as natural-based polymers. This study evaluated the effect of chitosan coating formulations (0.6-3.4 g 100 mL –1 chitosan and 0-0.60 g glycerol g –1 chitosan) on the quality of corn seeds ( Zea mays L.) regarding physical aspects (visual and morphological aspect, water content, and 1,000-seed mass), physiological potential (germination test, germination speed index, seedling length, cold test, seedling emergence, seedling emergence speed index, seedling height, and root and shoot dry matter), and health quality (Blotter test). Chitosan coatings associated with glycerol did not interfere with the water content, 1,000-seed mass, germination and emergence percentages, cold test, and root dry matter. Conversely, higher biopolymer concentrations can reduce germination speed index, emergence speed index, seedling height, and shoot dry matter. Thus, coating with chitosan 2 % and 0.30 g glycerol g –1 chitosan showed promising results in terms of physical aspects with no damage to the physiological potential of corn seeds while reducing the occurrence of Penicillium spp.

Carissa carandas L. is a versatile evergreen shrub of the Apocynaceae family and its fruit is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It is commonly propagated by seeds, which are characterized by low germination rates due to the presence of a hard seed coat that causes physical dormancy and limits water absorption and gas exchange. In this study, the effects of different dormancy-breaking treatments viz., chemical treatment with potassium nitrate and thiourea at two concentrations (1% and 2%), hormonal therapy with gibberellic acid (GA3) at two concentrations (500 and 1000 ppm) and physical treatments (hot water and simple water immersion) were investigated on germination and seedling growth using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and the statistical significance of each treatment was tested at the five percent probability level (p ? 0.05). Key germination indices, seedling growth parameters, and seedling vigour were observed. Among all treatments, 2% KNO3 was most effective in breaking seed dormancy that achieved significantly higher (86.33%) germination with accelerated completion of germination in 18 days and the highest (4.80) mean daily germination (MDG). Thiourea 2% attained a germination percentage of 82.91% and MDG of 4.36 while GA3 treated seeds had a lower germination percentage and MDG than KNO3 and thiourea treatments. The significantly highest seedling length vigour index (LVI) of 1085.1 and weight vigour index (WVI) of 12.67 were also obtained in 2% KNO3 treated seeds which was followed by 2% thiourea with LVI of 1003.6 and WVI 10.12 . Both LVI and WVI were significantly lower in GA3 treatments compared to KNO3 and thiourea treatments. The significantly lowest germination percentage (61.19%), MDG (2.78), LVI (575.8), and WVI (3.67) were recorded in the control. This study offers valuable insights into the efficient techniques for seed dormancy breaking and optimizing seed propagation techniques for C. carandas L.

Wheat is our most cultivated grain and has been used as human food for thousands of years, but as the population increases, so does the demand for grain. Challenges that we face today are that the amount of cultivable arable land is decreasing, that climate change is affecting crop yields, while people's concerns are growing about the use of chemical pesticides. It is therefore of great interest to find more objective and faster methods to assess the quality of the seed while taking the environment, health and economy into account. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether physical or microbial differences that affect wheat germination could be found, and whether a method could thereby be found to assess seed quality faster than with current methods. This study is based on a selection of studies that highlight the assessment of wheat quality and the effect of microorganisms on germination. The information material in the study comes mainly from searches in the database Lubsearch, but also through searches in other search engines such as Google. Practical analyzes of the physical properties of the wheat grain have also been carried out, as well as analyzes of the microbial flora that occur in the various germination stages of the wheat grain. The result of this study shows that certain bacteria, especially Bacillus, have an important role in the wheat grains that have germinated well. At the same time, certain unfavorable bacteria within the Enterobacteriaceae family as well as yeast and mold appear to have dominant growth in the wheat grains that have not germinated at all. In the physical analyzes that have been carried out, it has been found that there is a certain relationship between, among other things, grain size and germination. Although the arena of the investigation is broad, more analyzes of microorganisms, physical measurements of the properties of the wheat grain and several types of wheat from different batches are required to be able to find significant differences that affect germination. More analyzes are also required to find a reliable method to determine seed quality faster than current methods.

Abstract. The study aimed to investigate the effects of Ficus religiosa (L.) leaf compost on the germination and plant growth parameters of tomato seedlings. Physical parameters of the leaf compost and soil, such as color, texture, appearance, electric conductivity, pH were recorded. Various concentrations of the leaf compost ranging from 10% - 40% were used in the study. The total carbon, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus levels in soil and leaf compost before sowing and after sowing were also measured. The results revealed that the seedling growth parameters such as Mean Germination Time, Initiation of Germination, Mean Daily Germination, Speed of Germination, Completion of Germination, Peak Value, Germination Value were maximum at 40% Leaf compost. The results of plant growth parameters of tomato plants revealed that the 40% LC showed maximum increase in shoot length, number of leaves, diameter of leaves, length of leaves, root length, number of leaflets, total plant length, fresh weight and dry weight. The average percentage of carbon, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus content significantly increased with a higher dose of leaf compost compared to the control. The results indicated that leaf compost of F. religiosa at 40% improved plant growth minimizing the need of chemical fertilizers.

Global climate change presents challenges to arid and semi-arid ecosystems, impacting native species such as Neltuma caldenia, endemic to Argentina. This underscores the importance of understanding germination processes for both conservation programs and the restoration of degraded areas. We aimed to evaluate the germination rate of N. caldenia seeds from the south Espinal, using various scarification methods (chemical, mechanical and physical), and temperatures (25-30°C). Additionally, we investigate the effects of accelerated aging (0-96 h at 45°C and 100 relative humidity) and different saline solution concentrations during germination (0-0.6 M NaCl). Our results show that all scarification treatments effectively break seed dormancy while temperature significantly affects germination rates. Prolonged storage (0 to 96h) decreased seed viability. Moderate NaCl levels (0-0.2 M) did not affect germination, but higher concentrations inhibited it completely, with a threshold of -1.81 MPa osmotic potential. Understanding the impact of environmental stressors on seed germination can inform the development of effective conservation strategies among these climate change pressures. Highlights: Shorter duration chemical scarification method (10 minutes) and mechanical scarification were statistically more efficient than the other treatments. Temperature significantly influences germination capacity, with optimal rates achieved at 30–35°C, aligning with the precipitation patterns of the region. caldenia seeds may demonstrate greater resilience to high-temperature and humidity conditions, probably due to higher vigor. Salinity tolerance during germination extends up to -0.90 MPa, highlighting adaptability to saline environments of caldenia compared to other Neltuma species. | Global climate change presents challenges to arid and semi-arid ecosystems, impacting native species such as Neltuma caldenia, endemic to Argentina. This underscores the importance of understanding germination processes for both conservation programs and the restoration of degraded areas. We aimed to evaluate the germination rate of N. caldenia seeds from the south Espinal, using various scarification methods (chemical, mechanical and physical), and temperatures (25-30°C). Additionally, we investigate the effects of accelerated aging (0-96 h at 45°C and 100 relative humidity) and different saline solution concentrations during germination (0-0.6 M NaCl). Our results show that all scarification treatments effectively break seed dormancy while temperature significantly affects germination rates. Prolonged storage (0 to 96h) decreased seed viability. Moderate NaCl levels (0-0.2 M) did not affect germination, but higher concentrations inhibited it completely, with a threshold of -1.81 MPa osmotic potential. Understanding the impact of environmental stressors on seed germination can inform the development of effective conservation strategies among these climate change pressures. Highlights: Shorter duration chemical scarification method (10 minutes) and mechanical scarification were statistically more efficient than the other treatments. Temperature significantly influences germination capacity, with optimal rates achieved at 30–35°C, aligning with the precipitation patterns of the region. caldenia seeds may demonstrate greater resilience to high-temperature and humidity conditions, probably due to higher vigor. Salinity tolerance during germination extends up to -0.90 MPa, highlighting adaptability to saline environments of caldenia compared to other Neltuma species.

The environmental conditions at the multiplication site have an impact on seed quality. Parents capable of counteracting changes in production environments are required to maintain and conserve the excellent attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) seed. This study sought to determine the effects of genotype and environment on the physical and physiological traits of single crosses and inbred lines, which are the progenitors of trilineal maize hybrids adapted to the High Valleys of Mexico. During the spring-summer 2014 and 2015 cycles, nine inbred lines, three single crosses, and three hybrids were evaluated in Coatlinchán, Celaya, and San Luis de la Paz, Mexico, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The hectoliter and thousand-seeds weight, commercial seed percentage, standard germination, and after-cold test were evaluated. A pooled analysis of variance and multiple comparison of means with Tukey (p ≤ 0.05) were performed. The site regression model (SREG) was used to account for the genotype-environment interaction. The best environments for physical quality were San Luis de la Paz 2014; for a thousand-seeds weight (295.3 g), Coatlinchán 2015; for hectoliter weight (74.7 kg hL-1), Coatlinchán 2014; and for commercial seed percentage (76 and 73.3 %), San Luis de la Paz 2014. With the exception of Celaya 2014, the environments were statistically equal for physiological quality in standard germination, and San Luis de la Paz 2015 (82 %) was the best environment for germination after cold exposure. Regarding the genotype-environment interaction, parents M-47xM-46 and M-55xM-54 performed best for physical quality and M-43xM-44 for physiological quality at San Luis de la Paz; thus, seed production from these parents is possible in this location. | The environmental conditions at the multiplication site have an impact on seed quality. Parents capable of counteracting changes in production environments are required to maintain and conserve the excellent attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) seed. This study sought to determine the effects of genotype and environment on the physical and physiological traits of single crosses and inbred lines, which are the progenitors of trilineal maize hybrids adapted to the High Valleys of Mexico. During the spring-summer 2014 and 2015 cycles, nine inbred lines, three single crosses, and three hybrids were evaluated in Coatlinchán, Celaya, and San Luis de la Paz, Mexico, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The hectoliter and thousand-seeds weight, commercial seed percentage, standard germination, and after-cold test were evaluated. A pooled analysis of variance and multiple comparison of means with Tukey (p ≤ 0.05) were performed. The site regression model (SREG) was used to account for the genotype-environment interaction. The best environments for physical quality were San Luis de la Paz 2014; for a thousand-seeds weight (295.3 g), Coatlinchán 2015; for hectoliter weight (74.7 kg hL-1), Coatlinchán 2014; and for commercial seed percentage (76 and 73.3 %), San Luis de la Paz 2014. With the exception of Celaya 2014, the environments were statistically equal for physiological quality in standard germination, and San Luis de la Paz 2015 (82 %) was the best environment for germination after cold exposure. Regarding the genotype-environment interaction, parents M-47xM-46 and M-55xM-54 performed best for physical quality and M-43xM-44 for physiological quality at San Luis de la Paz; thus, seed production from these parents is possible in this location.

Pre-sowing seed treatment contributes to increasing the productivity of crops. One of the effective physical methods of pre-sowing treatment is the treatment of seeds with ultraviolet radiation, which, depending on the selected range of parameters, can have both a stimulating effect and a bactericidal effect.The article presents the results of a study of the effect of the dose of exposure and the wavelength of ultraviolet radiation of the UV-B and UV-C ranges on the length of sprouts, germination energy and germination of seeds of winter wheat "Zernogradka-9". Regression equations reflecting the relationship between the parameters characterizing the sowing qualities of seeds and the wavelength and dose of exposure to ultraviolet radiation were obtained.Ultraviolet radiation from region B at a wavelength of 313 nm has been found to have a stimulating effect on seeds in the dose range of 24–120 W∙s/m2. Sprout length, germination energy and germination were higher than in the control. Radiation from the UV-C region during seed germination is a deterrent.

The High Voltage Electrical Discharge (HVED) is a physical hydropriming method which alters the physicochemical properties of water, creating the plasma activated water (PAW). The mixture of highly reactive ions and molecules can break down the seed dormancy and speed up the growing process. Previous studies presented the promotional role of HVED technology on the germination, growth and polyphenol content. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of HVED technology on germination ability and vitality of three types of seeds with low germination rate. Selected species included carrot (Daucus carota L.), melilot (Melilotus albus Medik.), and mallow (Malva verticillata L.). In carrot and mallow, HVED (20Hz/30s) significantly promoted germination percentage, whilst in melilot seeds, germination was unchanged. HVED treatment enhanced the growth of shoots and roots in both carrot and mallow. In melilot, shorter treatment time of exposure to high voltage (30Hz/10s) resulted in longer shoots and roots. Perspectives of HVED as a method for improvement of germination exist, especially in mellow and carrot, but it is necessary to optimize the process parameters for each type of seed separately.