The effect of true cinnamon tree and peppermint hydrolates on germination and seed health of carrot seeds

Carrot (Daucus carota) crop production can be reduced by some fungi that are associated with and spread by seeds. The effects of seed-borne fungi are low germination rate and weak seedling growth due to damage by causing fungal disease. As a by-product of essential oil distillation, hydrolates are increasingly being used as plant protection agents in sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of peppermint (Mentha x piperita) and true cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) hydrolates on the germination, vigour and health of carrot seeds. Seeds of two samples varied in quality were soaked in hydrolate solutions at the concentrations of 5, 20, 50 and 100% for 30 minutes. Seed germination was evaluated according to ISTA Rules, and seed health was determined using the deep-freeze blotter method. The application of hydrolate solutions of true tree cinnamon tree reduced the occurrence of Alternaria alternata, A. radicina, Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp. and Melanospora simplex on seeds of sample II (the most effective 20%) and A. alternata and Cladosporium spp. in the case of sample I (the most effective were 20 and 50%). Both samples showed an improvement in the germination rate parameters (T25 and MGT) after treatment with 5% true cinnamon tree hydrolate solution. For the poorer quality seed sample soaking in the peppermint hydrolate solutions at concentrations of 20 and 100% significantly its germination capacity about 21%. Therefore, seed treatment using hydrolates can be used in organic farming.