Abstract:
Priming improves germination rate and seed vigor but reduces longevity of seeds. We examined
the possibilities of obatining primed seeds with maintaining high germination quality but with
longevity much the same that seeds are not treated. In this study were used different priming
treatments for Agropyron elongatum. Then primed seeds were placed at different levels of heat
shock. And then all treatments and unprimed seeds were evaluated in standard germination
and accelerated ageing test. We found that the desired longevity could be obtained by keeping
the seeds under heat shock for four hours at 40o
C, after a priming treatment. Decreasing
germination and seedling vigour in hydro and hormonal priming did not happaen again due to
such a treatment. In addition, following priming, heat shock affects the initial quality of primed
seeds in some treatments. Optimal temperature was strongly duration dependent. The method
was applied to obtain primed seeds without loss of storability is very similar to those used
to induce desiccation tolerance in germinated seeds and acquired thermotolerance in plant
vegetative tissues.
