THE EFFECT OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ON SEED QUALITY AND EMERGENCE OF CARROT (Daucus carota L.)

Abstract

Infestation with pathogenic fungi is frequently a cause of poor carrot seed quality. The effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment on germination, vigour and health of carrot seeds as well as plant emergence was investigated. Four seed samples were tested. Seeds were soaked in 3, 6, 9 and 12% H2O2 solutions for 10, 30 and 60 min. Controls were untreated seeds, seeds treated with fungicide (a.i. 75% thiram), and seeds soaked in distilled water for 10, 30 and 60 min. The fungi from genera Alternaria and Fusarium were frequently detected on tested seeds and dead seedlings. Hydrogen peroxide treatment, regardless of concentration and treatment time, reduced significantly carrot seed infestation with A. alternata, A. radicina and Fusarium spp., however was not effective in the control of A. dauci. Deterioration of seed germination and vigour was observed mostly if seeds were treated with 9 and 12% H2O2. Treating seeds with 3% H2O2 for 30 min positively affected plant emergence in three of four tested samples, while treatment with 6% H2O2 significantly decreased percentage of healthy seedlings in one of these samples and increased it in two of them.

Keywords

• H2O2
• fungi
• carrot
• seed germination
• seed vigour
• seedling emergence