Application of Ultrasonic Waves as a Priming Technique for Accelerating and Enhancing the Germination of Barley Seed: Optimization of Method by the Taguchi Approach

Abstract

In this study the effects of different intensities and exposure time of ultrasound on barley seed have been investigated to determine the optimal conditions for accelerating germination. For optimization, the Taguchi approach was used. The germination rates and/or yield of the treated sample seed were compared with those of the untreated seed germinated under normal conditions. The seeds were treated with ultrasonic energy (input power 20-90% of 460W) and were exposed to three time periods ranging from 5 to 15 min. It was found that germination of the treated barley seed was increased about 1.042-1.065 times compared with that of the untreated seed. The ultrasonic treatment proved to be efficient in reducing the germination period by 30-45%. It was concluded that priming of seeds with ultrasound was effective in improving water uptake and germination. The data presented in this paper suggest that the increase in final germination percentage, together with the reduced germination period in treated seeds, may be due to the action of ultrasound and that it led to an improved hydration process with concurrent shell fragmentation.

Physical Factors for Plant Growth Stimulation Improve Food Quality

“…Different cultures were subjected to ultrasonic stimulation: pepper, tomatoes and cucumbers (Markov et al 1987), fodder beans (Rubtsova 1967), radish (Shimomura, 1990), corn (Hebling et al 1995), carrot (Aladjadjiyan 2002b), chickpea, wheat, pepper, and watermelon (Goussous et al 2010), ornamental trees (Aladjadjiyan 2003a(Aladjadjiyan , 2003b, barley (Yaldagard et al 2008a(Yaldagard et al , 2008b(Yaldagard et al , 2008c.…”

High Pressure Processing for Foods Preserving

“…Even if the principles of HPP and its influence on microbial inactivation have been recognized since late 1800's, the first commercial installation for hPP appeared in Japan in 1990 (4,48). Although high pressure technology is currently more expensive than traditional processing technologies, the use of high pressure offers new opportunities for food industry to respond to the demand from consumers (25,26).…”

“…Pressure-transmitting fluids are used in the vessel to transmit pressure uniformly and instantaneously to the products sample. Most widely used fluids are water, glycol solutions, silicone oil, sodium benzoate solutions, ethanol solutions, inert gases and castor oil (48). the food products should be packaged in a flexible packaging.…”

Physical seed treatment techniques may influence stand establishment and yield of wheat in delayed cropping

“…Gupta and Hunsigi (2010) concluded that different physical seed priming treatments in peppermint (Mentha piperita) seeds were the most effective to get maximum herb yield and net return in both varieties. Yaldagard et al (2008) reported an increase in barley yield from ultrasound treatment of 6.53%. This is probably due to increased FEP as a result of ultrasound treatment of seeds.…”