Use of aerated hydration and high relative humidity treatment for improvement of seed germination in onion (Allium cepa L.)
2007
Remetio, J.M., Philippine Univ. Los Baños, College, Laguna (Philippines)
The effects of aerated hydration and high relative humidity treatments on germination of onion seeds (Allium cepa L.) cv. 'Red Creole' and 'Granex' were investigated. The responses of aged and unaged seeds were compared and the germination, root length, field emergence and changes in the level of carbohydrates were studied. Percentage germination of 'Red Creole' seeds after aerated hydration treatment (AH) was significantly lower than seeds exposed to high relative humidity (RH). In 'Granex' seeds, higher germination rate was observed in AH. The average root length of 'Granex' after AH was significantly higher than in RH. Results showed that AH was more effective in improvement of seedling emergence of unaged seeds, but 18 and 30 hours AH can also be used to improved the seedling emergence of aged 'Red Creole' seeds. In 'Granex' seeds, seedling emergence was lower in AH than in RH. Total Carbohydrate analysis revealed that high relative humidity treatment was effective in counteracting the effect of ageing in 'Red Creole' seeds. Only slight increase was observed in unaged seeds but in aged seeds, total carbohydrates increased as the duration of RH was prolonged. No specific trend was detected in the levels of carbohydrate in 'Granex' seeds at different durations of invigoration treatments. This was supported by the results obtained in the dry weights of 'Red Creole' seedlings where the increase may be attributed to the amount of carbohydrates of the seeds after the high humidity treatment. Varietal differences was observed and it was found that 'Granex' have higher percentage germination and longer roots while 'Red Creole' have shorter germination time, higher rate of seedling emergence and less susceptible to bacterial and fungal contamination. In 'Granex' seeds, contamination of aged seeds decreased after 6-48 hours AH.
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