Research Information System
INTERNATIONAL SIIRT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CONGRESS, Siirt, Turkey, 5 - 07 November 2021, pp.333-343
This research was aimed to investigate the improvement of germination and seedling growth performance in naturally aged sunflower seeds by priming with GA3 and KNO3. The seeds of sunflower hybrid variety Meteor CL stored for 3 years under room conditions with germination percentage of 61% were primed for 16 h with different concentrations (hydration, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm) of GA3 and KNO3. Unprimed seeds were used as control. Germination percentage, mean germination time, germination index, root length, shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weight, vigor index and dry matter rate were measured. The results showed that seed priming enhanced germination percentage and germination index of aged seeds. Mean germination time was shortened by treatments of hydration, GA3 and KNO3. Germination index was apparently improved by seed priming. Root length, shoot length, seedling fresh weight and vigor index were increased by GA3, KNO3 and hydration. GA3 was found to be a more effective agent in improving germination and seedling growth than KNO3, while hydration gave sufficient germination without using any chemical priming agent. The effective doses of GA3 and KNO3 were 500 ppm and 1000 ppm, respectively, but hydration showed better germination and seedling growth than KNO3. It was concluded that 500 ppm of GA3 should be advised for improvement in germination and seedling performance of naturally aged sunflower seeds.