The different invigoration techniques for sunflower seeds

Abstract

The effects of physical invigoration seed treatment are manifested in many ways, including morphological and structural aspects, changes in the gene expression and the accumulation of proteins and metabolites. To invigorate seed and to investigate the effects of different invigoration techniques on germination and growth seedling characteristics of sunflower, an experiment was conducted with sunflower hybrid Fantazija at the Laboratory for seed testing, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia. The process of seed invigoration was performed after seeds were exposed to double stressful condition of high temperature and high humidity (72h at 41°C) (the accelerate aging test) by H2O treatment (the seeds were soaked in water for 24 hours) and KH2PO4 treatment (the seeds were soaked in KH2PO4 solution for 24 hours), followed by washing and drying near to initial weight. Treatments with H2O and KH2PO4 affected the decrease of germination, but they were effective in reducing mean germination time (MGT). After the accelerate aging test, the process of invigoration (both H2O and KH2PO4) influenced a minor increase germination percentage, but MGT was prolonged.