Work

Selenium Seed Pre-Sowing Treatment Duration Modulates Germination and Antioxidant Responses of Industrial Hemp cv. Felina 32 Under Drought Stress

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Drought stress can strongly limit seed germination and early seedling development, while seed pre-sowing treatment may improve plant responses during these critical growth stages. This study evaluated the effects of hydropriming treatment and selenium (Se) pre-sowing treatment on germination, seedling growth, biomass accumulation, and biochemical responses of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cv. Felina 32 under PEG-induced osmotic stress. Seeds were hydroprimed with distilled water or primed with sodium selenate (40 µmol L−1 Se) for 30, 60, 90, or 120 min, while dry seeds served as the control. Osmotic stress was induced using 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). Germination remained high across treatments (95–98%), although increasing PEG concentration significantly reduced seedling growth and vigor. Total seedling length decreased from 13.52 cm at 0% PEG to 10.07 cm at 7.5% PEG, while fresh mass declined from 0.142 to 0.096 g seedling−1. At 7.5% PEG, Se 60 seedlings reached 10.95 cm compared with 9.38 cm in the non-primed control, while Se 90 maintained a fresh mass of 108 mg compared with 93 mg seedling−1 in the control. Biochemical responses were also treatment-dependent, with pronounced changes in proline, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity under increasing stress. Generally, Se pre-sowing treatment did not produce a uniform response across all conditions, but specific pre-sowing treatment durations, particularly 60–120 min, showed potential to modulate early hemp seedling responses to osmotic stress.

Source: Agronomy

DOI: 10.3390/agronomy16191917