Work

Chemical Treatments for Recovering Germination in Onion Seeds

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: A factor limiting the availability of onion seed is its accelerated postharvest deterioration. The research aim was to evaluate the recovery of seed germination in aged onion after application of chemical solutions. The onion seeds were artificially aged for 48, 96 and 144 h. Next the seeds were placed in solutions: gibberellic acid (3.46 mg•L-1), (BAP (2.25 mg•L-1), calcium chloride (55.50 mg•L-1) and potassium nitra¬te (50.50 mg•L-1), 8 to 12 h according to cultivar. The imbibed seeds were placed in standard germination conditions. The CaCl2 treatment in aged seeds (48 h) increased the percentage of normal seedlings in the cultivar Contessa. All other seed treatments increased the time to reach T50 and negatively affected germination. The use of BAP caused the higher reduction in the percentage of normal seedlings, lower seedlings biomass and the consequent loss of vigor. Toro and Contessa were the cultivars with greatest vigor, and Crystal white wax and Cojumatlán presented intermediate vigor, while Red burgundy showed the lowest vigor.

Source: Revista Chapingo Serie Horticultura

DOI: 10.5154/r.rchsh.2011.17.046