| Popis: |
Artichoke seeds germination shows variation in germination percentage and speed with non-uniform seedlings. Two labratory and nursery experiments were carried out during seasons of years 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 to investigate the enhancement role of seed priming agents on seed germination and seedling behvior of locally produced seeds of globle artichoke Cynara scolymus L (green globe CV.).Seeds were primed in 8 different priming agents (PEG 8000, KNo3, K2HPO4, Na2SO4, NaCl, MgSO4, KCl, or Mannitol.) plus the control treatment (without priming). Both germination under laboratory conditions and emergence under nursery conditions were evaluated. Germination percentage, coefficient of velocity and germination performance index were significantly increased as a result of seed priming treatments. KNO3 , PEG and mannitol were found to be the best treatments in this regard. Priming artichoke seeds in different priming agents reduced mean germination time and time required to reach 50% germination. KNO3 , PEG and mannitol significantly improved the seedling characters in terms of seedling length and seedling fresh and dry weights as well as amylase activity. However, K2HPO4 was the best treatment in activating theperoxidase enzyme. Emergence and subsequent growth of seedling in trays responded positively to seed priming and KNO3 was the suprior in enhancing emergance percentage and seedling growth in terms of seedlings height, number of leaves and dry weights of shoots and roots. It could be recomended that, priming local produced artichoke seeds in KNO3 , PEG and mannitol will enhance seed germination and subsequent seedling growth which in turn will lead to using seed as a new method for propagtion and multplication under Egyptian condition and subsequently the cultivated area with artichoke will increase. |
