Effect of presoaking seeds in biostimulant solution on germination and vigor of Lactuca sativa L.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to analyze the germination and seed vigor of two lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars that were presoaked in biostimulant solutions. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications in a 2x7 factorial arrangement. Seeds of the cultivars Bariri and Maravilha das Quatro Estações (MQE) were presoaked for 16h in solutions of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30mL.L–1 of a commercial biostimulant. The percentage of germination, germination speed index, seedling length at 7 days after sowing and the ratio between the shoot and radicle of the seedlings were evaluated. The cv. Bariri was significantly superior in all aspects. The use of presoaking seeds in plant growth regulator did not affect the germination, but influenced seedling vigor. Presoaking Bariri in 10mL.L–1 resulted in the highest germination speed index (19.60) while for MQE the best result was obtained after presoaking in 15mL.L–1 (17.75). The results suggest that in favorable conditions presoaking lettuce seeds in biostimulant does not alter the germination, but improves germination speed and seedling vigor, and increases the chances of crop establishment.

Keywords

• Growth regulator
• Lettuce