The effects of magnetism and osmopriming on seed germination and vegetative characteristics of Pistacia atlantica

Abstract

The present study aimed to increase the seed germination and the initial performance of pistachio seeds by investigating the effects of the magnetic field and osmopriming treatments simultaneously. 10 treatment levels of 10, 20 and 30 mT for 5, 15, 25 minutes and 1 control treatment (without exposure to a magnetic field) were performed in three replicates and the best level of magnetic surface was selected. The results showed that seeds subjected to the magnetic field showed an increase in plumule length, radicle length, total length of seedlings, fresh and dry weight of plumule as well as radicle and germination speed compared with the control treatment. However, there was no significant difference in the germination percentage and uniformity of seeds. Magnetized seeds, with the superior selective treatment (10 mT for 15 minutes), were primed with solutions of potassium nitrate, humic acid and salicylic acid at levels of 10, 25 and 40 mM and a control level (the best level of magnetism) in three replicates. The best result was obtained from humic acid (25 mM). With regard to the low cost of the purchase or construction of magnetic devices and their positive effects, their application could be recommended (10 mT for 15 minutes) combined with the humic acid (25 mM)) so that the quality of pistachio seedlings production would be increased.

Keywords

• humic acid
• millitesla
• potassium nitrate
• salicylic acid
• seed initial performance