Effects of Physical Seed Priming and Hydropriming on Physiological and Morphological Characteristics, Yield and Harvest Index in Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.)

Abstract

To study the effect of different seed treatments on germination of calendula, an experiment conducted in field with complete randomized block design and three replications, at Agricultural Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch in 2013. Treatments were: treating the most seeds by ultrasonic with maximum (3 w.m-2) and gamma and beta by 2 µc for 10 minutes, laser by 6328A° and magnetic field by 40 MT for 5, 10 and 15 minutes hydro-priming for 24 hours and control. Results indicate that maximum flower yield (13.85g) was produced by seeds treated with laser irradiation for 15 minutes as compared to that of control (4.34g). Highest biologic yield belonged to seeds treated with magnetic field for 10 minutes (33.20 g.m-2) and lowest to control (7.89 g.m-2). Highest harvest index was obtained from seeds treated by gamma irradiation for 10 minutes (69.07) and lowest for 15 minutes (18.81). It may be suggested that marigold growers may improve crop yield by priming the seeds with magnetic field and laser irradiation before sowing.

Keywords

• Calendula
• Harvest index
• Marigold
• Seed priming