Filters
Magnetic field treatment on horticultural and agricultural crops: its benefits and challenges
ABSTRACT Magnetic field (MF) treatment, as an efficient and pollution-free treatment method, has received extensive attention from researchers and found broad prospects in horticultural and agricultural development. According to relevant studies, mainstream research direction is aimed at utilizing MF treatment to improve the economic traits of horticultural and agricultural crops. MF has positive effects, for example, on seed germination, seedling growth, crop yield and quality and plant tolerance to stress. In recent years, more and more researchers have focused their work on using seed MF or magnetised water (MW) irrigation treatment to improve plant tolerance to salt or heavy metal stresses, to achieve the purpose of soil restoration by plant heavy metal accumulation. In this review, the most commonly utilised MF or MW treatment methods have been described in detail, and the effects of MF treatment on horticultural and agricultural crops have been presented. Furthermore, new prospects for MF treatment and the associated molecular basis have been presented. Since different species or cultivars have different optimal dose requirements for MF treatment, it is still a challenge presently to promote MF treatment use in commercial applications. For successful implementation of MF treatments, it is essential to conduct a large number of screening experiments and more in-depth research on the effects of MF on cultivated plants.
Seed Priming Applied to Onion-Like Crops: State of the Art and Open Questions
Cultivation of onion and onion-like crops has become a challenge in the context of climate change and innovative solutions are needed to support breeders as well as farmers, starting from the crucial issues of seed quality. Seed priming is routinely used to enhance germination performance and seedling resilience. Although common for radish, tomato, carrot or head cabbage seeds, the technique has been less popular for onion-like crops. This review provides a state-of-the-art picture of the scientific and technological advances that have so far contributed to enhance seed germination and vigour in onion-like crops. A brief description of the different types of priming approaches is provided whereas attention is focused on the following: (i) the impact of seed priming in terms of improved germination, seedling development and resilience to environmental stresses; (ii) the concept of seed quality hallmarks translated from model plants to the genus Allium; (iii) the drawbacks that currently impair the fully exploitation of seed priming in this specific sector of the agrifood chain.
Effect of air temperature and relative humidity on the stored Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) seeds
In the years 2018-2021, experiments on the effect of air temperature and relative humidity (RH) on the storage of Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) seeds were carried out. Three different cultivars and one breeding line received from commercial plant breeding and seed production companies were used. All their seeds at the beginning of storage had high germination over 90%, and moisture content 7-8%. Then, they were stored for 30 months in the controlled conditions at 3 different temparatures: 7-8 °C, 10 °C and 25 °C, each with 2 different air relative humidty (RH): 25% or 45%. During the experiment, their quality was evaluated by germination test according to the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) protocol. Additionally, after 1 and 2 years of storage at 7-8 °C and 25% air RH, the seeds of the line were evaluated for their incidence of fungi. It was found out that seeds of the tested genotypes kept good germination at 7-8 °C and at 10 °C, i.e. after storing them, the same effect was achieved. Thus, the latter can effectively lower the costs of the seed storage in commercial seed trade of the crop. The electric current consumption for the seeds stored at 7-8 °C in comparison with 10 °C was higher by 11.2%. In seeds of 3 genotypes, after storing them for 30 months, their germination was better at the air RH 45% than at 25%. Generally, low temperature (7-8 °C) favoured growth of Penicillium spp. and Phoma spp. on Welsh onion seeds during 2 years of storage, while storing at higher temperature (25 °C) resulted in the increase in seed infestation with Cladosporium spp. and Fusarium spp. The results obtained from this research can be used as a guideline for the storage in climatic and RH controlled chambers of all genotypes belonging to Allium fistulosum species, with the aim to maintain its seed germination quality related to the duration of the storage and taking into consideration the operating energy costs.
The effect of low frequency magnetic field (LFMF) on germination and seedling performance of chrysanthemum garland (Glebbionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach) seeds
Effect of low frequency magnetic field (LFMF) on germination and seedling performance of komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var perviridis) seeds
Effect of low frequency magnetic field (LFMF) on germination and vigour of accelerated aged radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds
ABSTRACT With the development of bio-magnetism, magnetic field (MF) treatment has been widely used in many fields, including Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry. Among seed priming methods, the use of the MF treatment as a physical priming has the advantages of creating no pollution and allowing an easy operation. In this experiment, the low frequency magnetic field (LFMF) was generated by Viofor JPS Delux - a patented device adopted from human medical magnetic therapy. Seeds of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cultivars Carmen (C) and Szkarłatna z Białym Końcem (SBK) were subjected to the routine accelerated aging (AA) procedure. Next, they were removed from the stress conditions, dried back to the standard moisture content level, and then treated with 10, 20 and 30 μT LFMF for 30, 60, 90 and 120 min., respectively. Afterwards, their seed quality was evaluated by germination and vigour tests. The results showed that LFMF treatment has improved the germination and vigour of the AA radish seeds. The optimal seed treatment conditions of the cultivars were different: for the cultivar C - 20 μT, 120 min. and for the cultivar SBK - 20 μT, 60 min. The quality of radish seeds and seedlings was also tested by a new method based on their ultra-weak photon emission during their germination and seedling growth. The received result could prove that LFMF treatment on AA seeds could have changed the metabolic processes responsible for germination and growth rate, but it had no harmful effect on the nature of their growth process.
Welsh Onion (Allium fistulosum L.) Seed Physiology, Breeding, Production and Trade
In the coming years, it is expected that the European Union countries will increase their interest in the use of the Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.). It is a little-known vegetable from the Far East. Consequently, growers might be asking their extension advisors increasingly about its seed physiology and commercial production. This article provides basic information on the origin of the species, its botanical characteristics, the main breeding directions and achievements, seed production methods and areas, main plant breeding and seed production companies, seed dormancy and the best methods for seed storage, use of the crop and market responses to promotion activities.
Exploring Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation in Allium fistulosum L. Seeds Exposed to Different Storage Conditions
The purpose of this work was to investigate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Allium fistulosum seeds stored under different conditions. Optimized seed storage conditions are essential to maintain seed viability, otherwise accumulation of ROS-induced oxidative damage can lead to seed aging. The A. fistulosum seed lots used in this study have been selected based on their breeding background and reproduction site. Seed samples were stored up to 22 months under six different conditions of temperature (25, 10, and 7.5 °C) and relative humidity (RH) (25% and 45% RH). A germination test and ROS quantification assay were performed on the samples collected after 12 and 22 months of storage, respectively. Within a time-window of 10 months, the tested seed lots evidenced a decrease in the germination rate associated with increased ROS levels. Correlation analysis also showed that ROS production was influenced by genotype. The reported data showed that ROS accumulation was dependent on the storage condition and genotype. Some of the tested seed lots appeared to be prone to ROS accumulation, independent of storage conditions. On the other hand, specific condition storages (25 °C, 25% RH; 25 °C, 45% RH; 10 °C, 25% RH; 7.5 °C, 25% RH) resulted in a lower impact on seed aging.