Seed germination and yield of marigold ( Calendula officinalis L.) as affected by biophysical priming techniques

摘要

Seed priming has been reported to enhance growth of plants. To evaluate the effect of some physical seedpriming materials (ultrasonic, gamma, beta and laser irradiation, magnetic field and hydro-priming) on seedgermination and growth of marigold a laboratory experiment was conducted at Islamic Azad University of Tabrizbranch, using completely randomized design, with three replicates. The results revealed that the highest seedgermination percent took place in seeds treated with “magnetic field” for 5 min. and lowest in those treated bybeta irradiation and “magnetic field” for 15 min. Mean comparions indicated that the highest root lengthbelonged to seeds treated by ultrasonic and laser irradiation for 10 min. and lowest from seeds primed by betairradiation, magnetic field for 15 min., laser irradiation for 5 min. and control. Higest seedling vigor index wasobtained when seeds primed by laser irradiation for 10 min. It was also observed that the lowest fruit yieldproduced by seeds treated with beta irradiation. It may be concluded that tomato producers could improve seedgermination percent by priming the seed with magnetic field for 15 minutes.