Chemical pregerminative promoters in Zea mays L. seed

Abstract

Objective: Plant life begins at germination. Stimulating germination with chemical methods can be advantageous. The pregerminative treatment of four promoters was determined in two maize genotypes (G1, G2).

Design/methodology/approach: Sixty seeds per Petri dish were used as experimental unit with three repetitions, organized in a completely randomized 2×4 factorial design. Two factors were taken into consideration: A) Genotypes (G1, G2); and B) four pregerminative promoters. The genotypes were Antelope G1 and yellow Antelope G2. Meanwhile, the pregerminative promoters were salicylic acid (‎C₇H₆O₃) (SA), citrulline (C₆H₁₃N₃O₃) (CI), humic substances derived from leonardite (HS), and tap water (TW), in 1000-ppm concentrations. The following variables were evaluated: germination percentage (GP)/days^-1, radicle diameter (RD), radicle length (RL), and number of lateral seminal roots (NSR). An analysis of variance and Tukey tests (α £ 0.05) were performed.

Results: The germination promoters were highly significant in both genotypes, as well as during the promoter-genotype interaction. G1 and G2 means showed a higher growth and development for humic substances (HS) during germination in the NSR.

Study Limitations/Implications: Germination can be inhibited, if the promoters are overweighted.

Findings/Conclusions: The best genotype and germination promoter (G2) had a 94% effectiveness and HS at 1000 ppm. CI and SA registered the lowest GP.