Soaking, Temperature, and Seed Placement Affect Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence of Litchi chinensis

Abstract

<jats:p>To find efficient ways to increase the percentage of seed germination and seedling emergence in litchi (<jats:italic>Litchi chinensis</jats:italic> Sonn.), we investigated the effects of soaking and high temperature on seed germination, as well as the influence of seed placement (orientation and burial depth) on seedling emergence. Seeds of most tested litchi cultivars soaked in water had a better germination performance than seeds without soaking. More than 90% germination of tested litchi seeds was obtained when the soaking times were 26–54 hours. During presprouting, short-term high temperatures (37–44 °C) exerted a negative effect on seed germination rate, but did not influence the germination percentage. In addition, high temperatures (&gt;42 °C) compromised the further growth of sprouted litchi seeds. Burial depth and seed orientation both significantly influenced the seedling recruitment. There was a reduction in seedling emergence with an increase in burial depth. Seeds at the depth of 2 cm showed the best seedling emergence with an average percentage of 90%. Litchi seedling emergence was greatest and most rapid when seeds were sown 2 cm deep, positioned flat, on their sides, and with the radicle oriented downward.</jats:p>

GERMINATION CHARACTERISTICS OF Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) DEL. SEEDS UNDER VARYING LIGHT AND SOWING ORIENTATIONS IN A SUDANO-SAHELIAN ZONE OF NIGERIA

“…This implies that there is an intra-specific variation in germination response among Balanites aegyptiaca seeds. Variation in germination response of seeds of different species when placed in a different position during sowing is common (Elfeel, 2012;Kelvin et al, 2015;Zhang et al, 2015) but variation among similar species is not common. Variation in seed characteristics among Balanites aegyptiaca species has been reported by Aviara et al (2005).…”

“…Seeds must be placed in a position that allowed the uptake of water and other environmental variables required for germination (Bowers and Hayden 1972). In some instances the effect of sowing orientation on seed germination was reported to be significant (Elfeel, 2012;Zhang et al, 2015) while in another instance it was reported to be non-significant (Kelvin et al, 2015). This implies that the seed of different species responds differently during germination to the position of sowing.…”

“…However, poor germination was reported when seeds of the same Balanites aegyptiaca specie were laid in the same position (vertically) according to El Nour and Kalislo (1995) in another study. In Litchi chinensis placement of seeds vertically with their radicle downward results in better germination compared to sowing with radicle upward (Zhang et al, 2015). Sowing seeds of Lagenaria siceraria in a horizontal position resulted in better germination (Kelvin et al, 2015).…”

Influence of Different Environments on Germination Parameters and Seedling Morphology in &lt;i&gt;Khaya senegalensis&lt;/i&gt; (Desr.) A. Juss (Meliaceae)

“…Half of the seeds sown germinated faster in Daloa and Montpellier because of the relatively high and humid temperatures and the richness of the soil. Indeed, while light allows plants to develop (elaboration of structure), heat favours growth (dry matter gain) and thus rapid seed dormancy [70] [71]. The minimum period between the first germination and the last germination was 16 days in Korhogo (seeder 1), 8 days (seeder 6) in Daloa and 7 days (seeder 3) in a controlled environment.…”

Hydropriming Improves Germination and Plant Recovery During Embryo Rescue of Wild Banana Musa acuminata var. tomentosa

“…Treatment of seeds priming by soaking seeds in water (hydropriming) and other chemical compounds (osmopriming) for a particular time potentially increases the ability of wild banana seeds to germinate. Seeds priming has been tested in several plants, such as lychees (Zhang et al, 2015), culantro Eryngium foetidum (Mozumder & Hossain, 2013), tomatoes (Sabongari & Aliero, 2004), and pistachios (Esmaeilpour & Van Damme, 2016). The success of seed priming in increasing germination is influenced by several factors such as the type of priming, concentration of the chemical compound, imbibition time, and the variety of species (Pawar & Laware, 2018).…”