Filters
Effect of acetic acid treatments and storage on the quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds
Seedborne fungi negatively affect the quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds and they are impact on their storability. Using the acetic acid can be an alternative to chemical treatment. Seeds were soaked for 30 minutes in a solution of acetic acid at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.5%, and 2%. Untreated seeds, seeds soaked for 30 minutes with distilled water and seeds treated with Dithane NeoTec 75 were controls. Seeds germination, vigour and seed health before and after 18 months of storage at 4 and 20 °C were tested. Before storage the acetic acid solution at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5% significantly decreased number of dead seeds and increased germination at first and final counts, 2.0% solution worsened germination and vigour of seeds of both samples. Generally acetic acid solutions limited occurrence of fungi. Seeds stored at a lower temperature (4 °C) were characterized by significantly higher percentages of total germinating seeds (Gmax) and percentage of germination at first and final counts. Deterioration of the germination at first and final counts was found only after soaking the seeds in acetic acid solution at a concentration of 2%. Acetic acid solutions at concentration 0.5 and 2.0% effectively reduced occurrence of Alternaria alternata.
The Impact of Acetic Acid Treatments on Stored Onion (Allium cepa L.) Seeds’ Quality
The aim of the studies was to evaluate the effects of acetic acid treatments on the quality of stored onion seeds. Seeds of two samples were soaked for 30 min in 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2% acetic acid solutions. Controls included untreated seeds, seeds soaked in distilled water and seeds treated with fungicide Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 WS/DS (a.i. 75% thiram). Germination, vigour and health of untreated and treated seeds were evaluated before and after 2, 6 and 12 months of storage at 4 and 20 °C. Treating onion seeds with acetic acid solutions, especially at the concentrations of 1 and 2%, reduced their infestation with Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp. and Stemphylium botryosum after storage at both temperatures. Seeds stored at 20 °C showed lower infestation with fungi than seeds stored at 4 °C. The acetic acid treatments did not have any adverse effect on germination and vigour of stored onion seeds. In some cases, the increase in germination at the first and final counts and the improvement in mean germination time were observed.