Since the fruit of the Capsicum annuum L. var. glabriusculum (Dunal) Heiser and Pickergil (chiltepín pepper) has a low germination rate, we sought to determine whether using an aqueous biochar extract could improve this. Germination tests were performed out in Petri dishes, using wild chiltepín pepper seeds collected in Sonora, México, which were exposed for 24 h to aqueous extracts of coconut shell biochar (CSBA) at different doses (0.05, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00%, w/v) and a control comprising deionized water. In addition to quantifying the germination rate, we determined the physical quality, viability, imbibition, electrical conductivity, seed pH, and capsaicin content. The fast green test showed an ideal physical quality (p = 0.5475), an imbibition rate > 65% (p > 0.05), and high viability 98.4% (p > 0.05). The wild chiltepín pepper seeds exposed to the CSBA0.05 and CSBA0.25 treatments increased the percentage germination rate (p < 0.001) to 80.9% and 71.7%, respectively. A higher percentage of normal seedlings resulted from CSBA0.05, CSBA0.10 and CSBA1.00 (p < 0.01), and a greater shoot length was obtained with CSBA0.05 (p < 0.01). The exposure of wild chiltepín seeds to aqueous CSBA for 24 h at low doses (CSBA0.05 and CSBA0.25) increase the germination rate, while CSBA0.05 could enhance early seedling growth.

Increasing the productivity of crops, preliminary stimulation of seeds. One of the effective physical methods of pre-sowing stimulation is the treatment of seeds with solar ultraviolet radiation A and B. The article examines the results of research studies measuring the density of germination energy and the similarity of the “Murashka” variety cucumber seeds. The analysis of dependences, and incomes according to the research results, allows the maximum values of germination energy and germination of cucumber seeds are 190 – 210 J/m2.

Abstract: Processing consists of sequential operations aimed at cleaning, classifying, and treating seeds, with the goal of improving the quality of the lot. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the processing stages on the physical and physiological quality of chickpea seeds, cultivar BRS Cícero. Seeds were sampled before processing and after passing through the air screen machine (upper sieve of 12 mm and lower sieve of 7.5 mm), elevators, storage silo, and gravity table (upper discharge, high intermediate, low intermediate, and lower discharge). The seeds were evaluated for moisture content, physical purity, germination test, electrical conductivity test, emergence in sand, emergence speed index, accelerated aging, and tetrazolium test. The processing resulted in increased physical purity and reduced percentage of broken seeds in the lot of chickpea seeds. Seeds collected from the upper and intermediate chutes of the gravity table showed higher germination values. Seed processing using the air screen machine and the gravity table is effective in improving the physical and physiological quality of the lot of chickpea seeds, cultivar BRS Cícero.

Seed germination is a crucial stage in the life cycle of plants, and understanding the factors influencing germination is essential for successful cultivation, plant breeding, and conservation efforts. The genus <i>Rosa</i>, commonly known as roses, encompasses a diverse group of flowering plants renowned for their beauty and fragrance. <i>Rosa</i> germination is influenced by a variety of factors, including seed dormancy, environmental conditions, and seed treatments. Many <i>Rosa</i> species exhibit different types of seed dormancy, such as physical dormancy caused by hard seed coats and physiological dormancy due to internal mechanisms. Overcoming seed dormancy often requires specific treatments, including cold stratification, scarification, or chemical treatments, to promote germination. Environmental factors, including temperature, moisture, light, and substrate, play vital roles in <i>Rosa</i> germination. Temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 °C, moisture, and exposure to light or darkness, depending on the species, constitute suitable conditions for seed germination. Many studies have been conducted to investigate the germination requirements of different <i>Rosa</i> species, thereby expanding our understanding of their propagation and conservation. Additionally, advancements in techniques such as in vitro germination and molecular approaches have further enhanced our understanding of <i>Rosa</i> germination biology.

ABSTRACT: Seed germination is a tightly regulated physiological process. Hydrolytic enzymes provide energy that brings physiological, biochemical, and physical changes to the seed during germination. Alpha-galactosidases break down alpha 1-6 linked galactosyl groups in glycoproteins, glycolipids, and oligosaccharides into simple compounds to provide energy during seed germination. Chickpea seed germination characteristics showed that inhibition of alpha-galactosidase using 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a derivative of deoxygalactonojirimycin, delays germination. To gain insights into the mechanism of inhibition, we modeled the enzyme’s structure and performed in-silico docking of the inhibitor and natural substrates (raffinose and stachyose) to the enzyme. We also validated our model using recombinant chickpea alpha-galactosidase. Our docking studies showed that both the inhibitor and the substrates bind to the same active site pocket in the enzyme but to different amino acid residues, stachyose being a preferred substrate, and DNJ competitively inhibits alpha-galactosidase with a Ki and IC50 of 44.5 µM and 89.13 µM respectively. Delayed germination is a desirable agronomic practice that can be explored for better crop establishment and to prevent pre-harvest sprouting in crops.

Seed germination is a complex physiological process influenced by abiotic stresses such as drought, temperature, salinity along with other biological and physical means. Halothermal time model (HaloTT) permitted quantitative assessment of seed germination at different water potential (ψ) and temperature (T). The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability of HaloTT model and to find cardinal temperature values for seed germination of Oats under various Ts and ψs. Avena sativa L. Var. Swan seeds were incubated at seven constant Ts under five various ψs prepared through sodium chloride (NaCl) at Plant Physiology Lab., University of Peshawar, Pakistan. The cardinal Ts measured through HaloTT model for Oats seed germination were 10, 30 and 40 °C for the base (Tb), optimum (To) and ceiling (Tc) temperatures correspondingly in distilled water (0 MPa). The maximum halotime constant (θHalo) was recorded as 48 MPa °Ch−1 at 30 °C in distilled water (0 MPa). The highest value of halotime and thermal time of germination rate was observed at -2.0 MPa at 40 °C. Germination percentage (GP), germination rate index (GRI), germination energy (GE), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), timson germination index (TGI), mean germination rate (MGR) and coefficient of variation of germination time (CVt) was observed maximum in 0 MPa at 30 °C, while minimum in -2.0 MPa at 40 °C. Contrarily the high rate of mean germination time (MGT) and time to 50 % germination (T50 %) was reported in -2.0 MPa and -1.5 MPa at 10 and 40 °C, while in distilled water (0 MPa) is lowest at 25 and 30 °C. Thus, we concluded that HaloTT model precisely interpret germination responses to various ψs across different Ts and may be used as an accurate and simple method to predict germination parameters under natural field conditions.

In the current study, the effect of wet processing, which included soaking, fermentation, germination and germination-fermentation, on the grinding characteristics and functional properties of sorghum flour was studied. The grinding characteristics of pre-treated samples were studied and evaluated on physical and functional properties. Physical properties such as Carr's index and Haunser ratio were found in the range of 1.35-1.45 and 26.04 -30.04, respectively. Grinding characteristics results such as average particle size and finesse modulus were in the range of 0.19-0.28 mm and 1.12-2.41 mm, respectively (P≤ 0.05). Colour analysis found better values for the fermented flour sample for hue and chroma values, while water solubility and hygroscopicity also found better results for the fermented sample. From this study, it can be concluded that the variation in the flour properties was due to the difference in grinding behaviour and functional properties of pre-treated samples. The fermented flour sample found better-grinding properties and functional properties.

Abstract: Elucidating the physiological and ecological mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination is of great significance for species conservation and the application of plant resources. Based on Baskin and Baskin’s classification system for seed dormancy, the cause of dormancy in Tarenaya hassleriana (Cleomaceae) seeds was studied using alternating temperature, cold moist stratification, dry storage, and GA3 soaking treatment. The results indicated that fresh mature T. hassleriana seeds had a combinational dormancy, including a physical dormancy and a type 2 non-deep physiological dormancy, and were photoblastic, with an optimal germination temperature of 35°C. In addition, fresh mature T. hassleriana seeds may be efficiently released from dormancy and promoted to germinate by an alternating temperature of 20 °C/30 °C, cold moist stratification, and cold moist stratification following dry storage. Furthermore, GA3 soaking treatment could also promote dormancy release and subsequent germination at 35 °C, and dry storage treatment could promote dormancy release and subsequent germination at 5-15 °C. These results also suggested that there were complex cross-talks among phytohormone, osmotic potential, and the temperature signaling regulatory pathways during dormancy release and germination of T. hassleriana seeds, which deserve further study.