One of the main advantages of camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) is its wide environmental adaptability and extreme drought tolerance. The availability of both winter and spring camelina biotypes, characterized by different seed sizes, raises the question about possible differences in their response to drought stress at the emergence stage. To address this, a germination test was set up in controlled conditions, comparing six winter and six spring genotypes with differing seed sizes (ranging from 1.83 to 0.88 g/1000-seeds) under increasing levels of osmotic stress (0, −0.4, −0.8, −1.2, −1.4, −1.6 MPa) using polyethylene glycol (PEG). Camelina withstands mild level of osmotic stress (−0.4 MPa) without significant decrease in germination. Even at −1.2 MPa after 10 d, it still had 75% germination. Significant differences in germination were observed between biotypes, where spring biotypes performed better than winter ones. Shoot and radicle lengths were significantly diminished by imposed osmotic stress, but shoot growth seemed more impacted. In general, spring biotypes had longer shoots and radicles than winter ones. Seed size played a role in the response of camelina to drought, but it depended on biotype and stress level imposed. In particular large seeded spring types had the highest germination percentage and resulted less impaired by osmotic stress, otherwise among the tested winter types the small seeded ones were the best performing. The presented data could be useful for breeding purposes for selecting the appropriate camelina type for sowing in drought-prone regions.

Soybean production in the system of organic agriculture is not very demanding, and this has been well documented both through experimental results and commercial production. However, one of the biggest problems in organic production is the lack of adequate pre-sowing treatments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of the electrostatic field. This is a physical treatment that was first used for seed treatment in the 18th century but has mostly been neglected since then. Seeds of five soybean genotypes with differently colored seed coats (yellow, green, dark green, brown, and black) were included in this study. The seeds were exposed to different values of direct current (DC) with the following voltages: 0 V (control), 3 V, 6 V, and 9 V, to which the seeds were exposed for 0 min (control), 1 min, and 3 min. After exposing the seeds to the electric field, the physiological properties of seeds and seedlings at the first stage of growth were evaluated. The results show that the effect of the electrostatic field on seed quality depends on the genotype, voltage, and exposure time. The application of DC can be a suitable method for improving seed germination and the initial growth of soybean seedlings. In addition, the results indicate that it is necessary to adjust the DC treatment (voltage and duration of exposure of seeds) to particular genotypes since inadequate treatments may reduce the quality of seeds.

Seed priming is a useful technique, applied prior to planting, which partially hydrates the seeds to a point of germination process initiation, followed by drying, which prevents radicle emergence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of various seed priming treatments on germination parameters of maize at different temperatures. Seeds were primed in water (hydropriming) and KNO3 solution (0.1% and 0.5%) by soaking at 25°C for 17h. Germination parameters were tested at 25°C, 15-25°C and 15°C. Seed priming had a positive effect on some seed germination parameters at low and mixed temperature. Treatment with 0.5% KNO3 had the most improving effect. This treatment reduced MGT, T50 and increased GE at low and mixed temperature. Priming showed no positive effect on the final germination. This study showed that seed priming with KNO3 could be used to achieve better seedling establishment at low temperature conditions in maize.

Low temperature has a negative effect on germination parameters and early seedling growth. Seed priming is a beneficial pre-sowing treatment that partially hydrates the seeds to the point of germination process initiation, followed by drying which prevents radicle protrusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different seed priming treatments on some maize seed vigor and early seedlings growth parameters at different temperature conditions. Seeds were primed in water (hydropriming) and KNO3 solution (0,1% and 0,5%) at 25°C for 17 h. Germination was tested at 25°C, 15/25°C and 15°C. Seed priming treatments had more improving effects on studied seed and seedlings traits under suboptimal (15°C and 15/25°C) than at optimal temperature conditions. Seed priming treatment with 0,5% KNO3 had the most beneficial effects and increased the most of studied parameters under suboptimal conditions. Seed priming with KNO3 could be used to achieve higher seed vigor and seedling growth at suboptimal temperature conditions in maize.

The objective was to assess the effect of chemical desiccation on seed germination and storability in three sunflower female inbred lines and to point at possible indicators for optimal performance time. Desiccation was performed with Diquat (2 l ha-1) applied at 7-day intervals from the end of flowering to harvest maturity. There were 6 treatments and control (untreated). Germination was tested 2 and 21 months after harvest. The highest germination was recorded when the desiccation was performed 35 days after flowering. Results showed that optimal moment for applying chemical desiccation when there is no negative effect on the seed germination is specific for each sunflower genotype. Seeds with a high level of germination (>90%) can be stored for 19 months without significant loss in germination, namely, it was not negatively affected by chemical desiccation. Seed moisture and growing degree-days can be used as reliable indicators for optimal desiccation time.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different seed treatments on germination parameters of three maize genotypes under optimal and suboptimal temperature conditions. Seed was treated with recommended doses of three commercial pesticide formulations: metalaxyl-m 10 g/L + fludioxonil 25 g/L, metalaxyl 20 g/kg + prothioconazole 100 g/kg and thiacloprid 400 g/L. Testing was conducted at 25°C and 15°C. Results of the study indicate that there are differences in response of maize genotypes to applied seed treatments, as well as to a specific treatment at optimal and suboptimal temperatures. Some treatments, depending on the mixing partner and temperature conditions, can affect final germination. In other cases, germination rate can be accelerated or prolonged, but with no effect on final germination. In order to provide fast and uniform emergence under different temperature conditions, further examination of the response of maize genotypes to specific seed treatments would be beneficial.