Effect of some treatments on seed dormancy, germination and antioxidant enzymes of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. seeds

Abstract

Seed dormancy provides a mechanism for plants to delay germination until conditions are optimal for survival of the next generation. Dormancy release is regulated by a combination of environmental and endogenous signals with both synergistic and competing effects. In many cases, viable seeds are called dormant, when they are simply not germinating. Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. (wild celery) is a medicinal plant (kind of umbelliferous) of Iran. Seeds of K. odoratissima often germinate poorly in the nursery, because of their seeds have a dormancy. Thus shortening the dormancy and increasing germination with laboratory methods can be effective in restoring the plant. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect different methods of breaking of dormancy on germination of Kelussia odoratissima. Experiments used were stratification (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks), stratification and gibberellin and stratification and nitrate potassium. Results showed that stratification, stratification and gibberellin and stratification and nitrate potassium increased germination characteristics and catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity. The highest germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight and catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity were attained from stratification and gibberellin 500 ppm and stratification and nitrate potassium 1%. In general, results showed that stratification and gibberellic acid (500 ppm) is the best treatment for breaking of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. seed dormancy and in seeds antioxidant enzymes could trigger germination.