Impact of sugar beet seed priming on seed quality and performance under diversified environmental conditions of germination, emergence and growth

Abstract

In the presented work attempts have been made to explore effectiveness of the sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) seeds priming process in relation to seed quality and environmental conditions. This study was conducted in three different field stations in the years 2013-2015 using two lots of sugar beet seeds of the variety Janosik that differed in their level of vigour. In the laboratory and phytotron experiments, pelleted and non-pelleted seeds were used while in the field experiments only pelleted seeds were used. Seed priming was carried out using two patented technologies based on the solid matrix priming method. The results of this study indicate that pelleting can reduce both seed viability and rate of germination, especially in the early stages. Both priming methods positively influenced seed germination ability and speed. The efficiency of priming was higher in seeds with lower vigour than those with higher vigour. It follows that priming seeds, especially those with lower vigour is particularly efficient. As a result, seed loss during treatment can be reduced. The obtained data indicate that priming reduces the differences in germination and the course of emergence caused by different levels of seed vigour and germination conditions. The higher vigour of seeds caused by priming was associated with the acceleration of leaf development and the increase in plant dry matter during the growing season. As a result, seed priming contributes to a significant increase in the technological yield of sugar. It should also be noted that the average weight of single root is less variable during harvesting.

From Emergence to Flowering: Four Beet (Beta vulgaris ssp.) Cultivars’ Phenological Response to Seed Priming

“…Species with high heterogeneity among the seeds can benefit more from priming [53]. In fact, priming tends to be more effective in seeds with low vigor comparing to high-vigor seeds [30]. The result of the present study ( Figure 3) was in line with the previous study, which showed primed sugar beet seeds starting the emergence 2 to 4 days earlier compared to non-treated seeds [15].…”

“…The effect of seed priming on emergence has been the subject of previous studies in different plants species and many studies have demonstrated the effect of this seed enhancement technique on emergence [28,39,50,51]. However, the response to priming depends on different seed morphological aspects such as cultivar, initial quality, and maturity, as well as the priming technique itself [30,52]. Species with high heterogeneity among the seeds can benefit more from priming [53].…”

“…In fact, priming regulates hydration of the seeds, but not to the point of radicle protrusion [21,23]. During this procedure, metabolic processes begin, but do not proceed far enough for actual germination [30]. Timing is important in this process to avoid "overpriming".…”

“…The key factors in this procedure are the imbibition time and osmotic potential. Priming enables seeds to emerge quickly and uniformly after sowing, ensuring reliable establishment of the plants [30,38].…”

Effect of Seed Invigouration Treatments on Physiological Parameters and Nodulation of Grain Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

“…Total number of nodules, effective nodules and nodule fresh and dry weight per plant were significantly influenced by (Brady and Weil, 2002). Zehirov and Georgiev (2003) also observed that B deficiency will inhibit the cell wall development and cell wall permeability which cause reduction in nodule number.…”