Abstract:
This study aims to evaluate
the effect of seed priming for two pepper
varieties by extracts of two algae thalli on
the performance of growth at vegetative
stage.The seeds were soaked in thalli
aqueous extracts (at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100
g/L), for 24 h at 28±2°C, rinsed thoroughly
with distilled water and then dried to their
initial weight as a first batch (SD), a second
batch of seeds was considered,
corresponding to seeds placed in Petri
dishes to germinate directly after washing
(SND). Untreated seeds were the control.
The results showed than the priming has
improved seedlings growth for both
varieties. Seed priming with algae aqueous
extracts has improved roots and shoots
length. The best stimulations were 220%
and 70%, respectively, recorded for
seedlings of Baklouti and Chargui varieties,
following the priming with the extract of
Padina pavonica at 40 g/L concentration.
These improvements appear to be related to
a better photosynthetic intensity, an increase
in the number of leaves and the water
content, which were noted in plants from
pretreated seeds. Finally, the results indicate
that, generally, the plantlets from SND were
more vigorous. The results of this work
show that algae could be an inexhaustible
resource of substances, that can be used as
an alternative to chemicals used in the
pretreatment of seeds, reducing the risk of
pollution and preserving the biological
material.
