Physiological markers for assessing germinability of Lycopersicon esculentum seeds primed by environment-friendly methods

Abstract

Correlations between the sowing value of primed tomato seeds (mean germination time – MGT, germination uniformity – T75-25) and selected physiological events (total activity of dehydrogenases – TAD, activity of catalase – AC, activity of the cell cycle – ACC, and leakage of electrolytes – LE) were analyzed in order to find useful physiological markers of seed quality. To accomplish this purpose, we analyzed the effects of different environment-friendly priming methods, the levels of seed moisture content (MC), and incubation times during priming on germination properties (MGT, T75-25) in relation to TAD, AC, ACC, and LE. In addition, we evaluated the effects of used seed conditioning methods on the growth and development of plants obtained from these seeds. The results showed positive effects of seed conditioning on the growth and development of plants obtained from these seeds, and that MGT and T75-25 were significantly correlated with TAD, AC, ACC, and LE from the seeds. The correlations between MGT and the physiological parameters were the strongest (r2 = 77.0 - 97.2%). Somewhat lower values of the determination coeffficient (r2 = 62.8 - 92.7%) were noted between T75-25 and the physiological events. Therefore, the investigated physiological parameters of seed quality can be used as markers of germinability and sowing value reached by primed tomato seeds.