Effect of seed priming on seed viability and seedelings performances in maize gene bank accessions

Abstract

During long-term storage of gene bank accessions, even under excellent conditions, seed viability declines with period of storage, resulting in seed death. On the other hand, regeneration of gene bank accessions should be done as rare as possible, because, each time an accession is regenerated, there is a risk that the genetic integrity of accession is compromised by genetic drift, selection, or gene flow. Occasionally it happens that the sample's viability drops below the standard level, when there is a risk that regeneration from such a sample disrupt the identity and integrity of an originally collected sample. Different pre-sowing treatments are often used to improve seed germination and early seedling growth in various crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different seed priming treatments on four maize gene bank accessions, stored for 5 and 30 years under medium-term conditions (t=4-5°C; RH=45-50%). The standard seed germination test on filter paper (BP, 20⇔30°C, ISTA Rules) and cold tests were performed. The following parameters were observed: germination including germination energy, seedlings fresh and dry weight, as well as seedlings length. Data analysis showed that the treatments had a positive effect on the seedling’s fresh and dry weight, but not on the seedling’s length. Also, seed priming treatments improved germination dynamics.