Effects of soaked seed timing in various solutions on germination and growth of sunflower seedlings

Abstract

Seeds with high germination percentage and low mean germination time are generally good for seedling establishment resulted in good subsequent growth. This experiment aimed to study the effects of different seed soaking times in various concentrations of different solutions. The experiment was conducted using a split-plot design in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The main plot was 4 soaking times: 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours. The sub plot was different solutions at various 7 concentrations: chitosan, 20, 40, 80 ppm, ascorbic acid, 20, 40, 80 ppm and water. The sunflower seeds were soaked in the various solutions (sub plot) as designated times (main plot), then air-dried for 1 hour before sowing to test germination percentage and seedling vigor. The results showed statistically significant differences among soaking times, soaking the seeds for 18 hours resulted in higher germination percentage, shoot and root length as well as shoot and root fresh weight than the other time periods while seed soaking in different solutions at different concentrations did not show any significant differences. From this study, it can be concluded that soaking the seeds in ascorbic acid solution at the concentration of 40 ppm for 18 hours tends to give the best germination percentage and growth of sunflower seedlings.