Effect of different priming treatments and priming durations on melon germination behavior under suboptimal conditions

• Main Authors: Castañares J. L., Bouzo C. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2018-11-01
• Series: Open Agriculture
• Subjects: priming; germination; vigor; salt stress; cold stress
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2018-0043

The objective of this work was to compare the effect of different priming osmotic agents and durations on melon germination in: 1) low temperature stress; 2) saline stress; and 3) low temperature and saline stress. The osmotic agents were polyethylene glycol 6000, KNO3+K3PO4, CaCl2 and NaCl, with -1.5 MPa osmotic potential. Priming durations were 3 and 6 days (d). Germination percentage (GP) and mean germination time (MGT) were measured. At 12°C the best GP was 14% with CaCl2/3-d, without germination in control. At 25°C the best GP was 100% with CaCl2/3-d. MGT was reduced one day. At -0.7 MPa GP was 100% with CaCl2/3-d and NaCl 3d. At -1.0 MPa the best GP were 46 and 50% for 3d with NaCl and CaCl2respectively without germination in control treatment. At 12°C and -1.0 MPa the best GP were CaCl2/3-d and CaCl2/3-d (14 and 10% respectively). It is concluded that at 12°C, the increase in GP would not justify the use of priming. At 25°C priming increased GP and reduced MGT. At -0.7 MPa priming increased germination, while at -1.0 MPa the increase is not agronomical considerable. At 12°C and -1.0 MPa the increase of germination is not agronomical important.