Effect of Peanut Seed Orientation on Germination, Seedling Biomass, and Morphology in an Oak Tree Sawdust Cultivation System

Abstract

We performed seed germination tests to investigate the effects of seed sowing orientation on germination viability on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) sprouts. Specifically, we assessed the influence of seed sowing orientation on germination rate, seedling weight, and seedling length, as well as the seedling vigor index. The seeds were sown in oak tree sawdust at 3.0 cm depth. Four seed orientations were tested: vertical with the hypocotyl end down, vertical with the hypocotyl end up, horizontal with the hypocotyl end down, and horizontal with the hypocotyl end up. The mean seed germination percentages of the four seed orientations were significantly different (p < 0.01) and ranged from 25 to 91.7%. The vertical orientation with hypocotylend-down and hypocotyl-end-up orientations showed the highest (91.7%) and lowest (25%) germination rates, respectively. The vertical orientation with the hypocotyl end down produced the heaviest (4.9 g) seedlings and the longest hypocotyls (4.65 cm). This orientation also produced the longest true leaf + epycotyl (2.15 cm) and had the highest seedling vigor index (197.1). The seedlings had a straight growth pattern, whereas seedlings from seeds sown with the hypocotyl up had an awkward plumular hook shape. Taken together, to produce peanut sprouts, we recommend placing the seeds vertically with the hypocotyl end down because this orientation leads to a high germination rate, high biomass production, and high overall seedling quality.

Fermentation of Oak Tree Sawdust affects Peanut Sprout Growth and Fungal Microbiomes

“…In a previous study, we reported that a certain fermentation period of sawdust as a plant growth medium (Ahn et al, 2021) and hypocotyl end down seed orientation (Ahn et al, 2017) enhanced the seed germination rate and seedling growth. In that earlier work (Ahn et al, 2021), we showed that bacterial communities with a high population of the Alicyclobacillus genus were established in 45-and 60-day fermentation periods.…”

“…Previous studies have tested oak sawdust as a growing medium for peanuts. The peanut seed sowing orientation was optimized in oak sawdust, increasing germination rates, sprout vigor, and the sprout morphology quality (Ahn et al, 2017). Another study reported that peanut germination and sprout biomass increased along with in the fermentation period of oak sawdust (Ahn et al, 2021).…”

Effect of Plasma Activated Water on Peanut Seed Germination, Seedling Biomass, Morphology, and Gene Expression

“…Seed germination, crucial for plant sprouts, is in uenced by environmental factors such as soil, light, temperature, water, and pH [9]. In our previous studies, it was optimized to increase the seed germination rate, sprout biomass, and sprout morphology quality following the seed sowing direction and fermentation period of oak sawdust [10,11]. However, PAW's impact on peanut seed germination and seedling growth remains unexplored.…”