The effect of hydro-priming on germination characteristics, seedling growth and antioxidant activity of accelerated aging wheat seeds

Abstract

Seed aging is an important problem in developing countries which seeds stored in inappropriate condition. Delayed germination, reduced normal seedling percentage and changed antioxidant enzymes activity are some indications of aged seeds. Priming is a technique applied before planting and can improve seed characteristics especially under abiotic stress conditions. The main objective of the study was to evaluate aging effect on seed quality and to study the interaction between seed aging and seed priming. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replicates was conducted. The experimental treatments included cultivar, priming and aging. Results showed that seed aging reduced germination percentage, germination index, seedling length, normal seedling percentage, seedling dry weight, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity and increased the germination mean time and electrical conductivity of seeds. The highest germination percentage, germination index, seedling length, normal seedling percentage, seedling dry weight, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity and the minimum germination mean time and electrical conductivity of seeds were attained from hydro-priming treatment under non aged condition. Hydro-priming improved aged seeds quality and increased enzymes activity. Therefore, priming is a technique can be applied to improve aged seeds germination and seedling characteristics.