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Induction of Tobacco Seed Germination Synchrony through Dark Preincubation 1
Author(s) -
Mohapatra S. C.,
Arcila J.,
Johnson W. H.,
Nelson L. A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1987.00021962007900030012x
Subject(s) - germination , nicotiana tabacum , horticulture , cultivar , polyethylene glycol , peg ratio , nicotiana , biology , agronomy , solanaceae , biochemistry , finance , economics , gene
Nicotiana tabacum cv. Speight G‐28, a popular cultivar of bright leaf tobacco, has a high percentage of seed germination but it takes a long time (nearly a week under laboratory conditions and several weeks under field conditions) to give maximum germination. This study was undertaken to develop a laboratory seed treatment to improve germination synchrony. Twenty‐three seed treatments, including the control, were developed through the use of dark‐preincubation (DPI), polyethylene glycol (PEG) or chilling alone, or in various combinations thereof. An index of synchrony (IS) was calculated from the formula,IS = highest percentage of seeds germinating within a 24 - h period final germination percentageThe theoretical highest value of the IS for a given seed lot would be 1.0. In absence of an absolute synchrony, the practical objective of a given seed treatment would be to raise the IS as close to 1.0 as possible. All the 23 seed treatments tested were ranked on the basis of this consideration. Treatments giving 0.8 or greater IS are, indecreasing order: DPI at 23°C for 1 week followed by DPI for 1 week under chilling (0.95); DPI under chilling for 1 week followed by DPI at 23°C for 1 week (0.93); DPI at 23°C for 1 week followed by chilling under light for 1 week (0.90); and DPI at 23°C for 1 week (0.81). As compared to these treatments, the IS of the control was 0.52. Possible physiological mechanisms involved in DPI‐induced germination synchrony and the potential for practical application of this treatment are discussed.