Physical, plant growth regulators and TiO2 nanoparticles priming treatments to improve seed germination of endangered asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida L.)

Purpose: Ferula assafoetida (L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants with many applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.  It has been endangered due to overharvesting from natural habitat and long period of seed dormancy. Knowledge of seed germination behavior leads to...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Amir Saadatfar, Effat Ahmadi Mousavi, Iraj Tavassolian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Birjand 2023-09-01
Series:Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jhpr.birjand.ac.ir/article_2459_9c65fff05e08c4850a72da89b7519a9e.pdf
Description
Summary:Purpose: Ferula assafoetida (L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants with many applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.  It has been endangered due to overharvesting from natural habitat and long period of seed dormancy. Knowledge of seed germination behavior leads to the development of its conservation and cultivation. Research methods: We conducted this research as a factorial experiment in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate seed germination in response to low temperature, plant growth regulators (kinetin, gibberellin, carrageenan as plant bio-stimulant) and TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). The germination percentage and rate, mean germination time, and radicle elongation were measured. Findings: The results showed that the cold (4 °C), GA3, carrageenan, kinetin and TiO2 NPs increased seeds germination rate and percentage. Maximum seed germination percentage (86% or 23% more than control) and minimum mean germination time (26 days or 12.6 days shorter than control) obtained with seeds pretreated by kinetin soaking and TiO2 NPs treatment at 4 °C. Furthermore, most treatments produced healthier and stronger radicles compared to the control which is vital for better establishment and growth. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: The price and demand of asafoetida products have been increased dramatically. The most important constrain to hinder reliable supply of the products is the shortage of plant or difficulty to access its products. Here, we showed the cost effective and environmentally friendly methods to provide high seeds germination with vigorous roots.
ISSN:2588-4883
2588-6169