Cytokinins and urea derivatives stimulate seed germination in Lotus corniculatus L.

Abstract

We studied the effects of various cytokinins and urea derivatives on germination of aged seeds of in Lotus corniculatus L. The following substances were applied: N6-isoprenoid cytokinins (isopentenyl adenine and zeatin), adenine sulfate, N6-aromatic cytokinins (kinetin, benzyladenine) and their N9-ribosides, N-benzyl-9-(2- tetrahydropyranyl)adenine, and urea derivatives (diphenylurea, thidiazuron, and chloro-pyridyl phenylurea). With the exception of adenine sulfate, all cytokinins increased the percentage of seed germination up to twofold, depending on their kind and concentration. It is concluded that cytokinins may be among the missing factors in aged seeds of L. corniculatus contributing to the implementation of their full germination potential. They could be used to improve germination of both freshly harvested and aged seed samples, if necessary. .

Keywords

• cytokinins
• seed germination
• urea derivatives