Yield and Quality of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata (l.) R. Wilczek) Seeds Produced in Poland

The aim of the experiment was to do field and laboratory assessments of yield and quality of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) seeds cultivated in Western Poland. Mean yield of seeds per plant was higher for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) than for mung one: 13.1 g and 2.58 g, respectively. The mean 1000 mung seeds weight was 50.9 g and their germination – 78 %. Germination capacities of seeds of both beans in the field were similar. Mung beans, compared to common bean, had much smaller seeds, started to bloom later and produced mature seeds later than the latter. Mung bean seeds had more total proteins and Magnesium and Copper than common bean seeds. In Western Poland, production of high quality mung bean seeds was possible

Effect of air temperature and relative humidity on the stored Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) seeds

In the years 2018-2021, experiments on the effect of air temperature and relative humidity (RH) on the storage of Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) seeds were carried out. Three different cultivars and one breeding line received from commercial plant breeding and seed production companies were used. All their seeds at the beginning of storage had high germination over 90%, and moisture content 7-8%. Then, they were stored for 30 months in the controlled conditions at 3 different temparatures:  7-8 °C, 10 °C and 25 °C, each with 2 different air relative humidty (RH): 25% or 45%. During the experiment, their quality was evaluated by germination test according to the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) protocol. Additionally, after 1 and 2 years of storage at 7-8 °C and 25% air RH, the seeds of the line were evaluated for their incidence of fungi. It was found out that seeds of the tested genotypes kept good germination at 7-8 °C and at 10 °C, i.e. after storing them, the same effect was achieved. Thus, the latter can effectively lower the costs of the seed storage in commercial seed trade of the crop. The electric current consumption for the seeds stored at 7-8 °C in comparison with 10 °C was higher by 11.2%. In seeds of 3 genotypes, after storing them for 30 months, their germination was better at the air RH 45% than at 25%. Generally, low temperature (7-8 °C) favoured growth of Penicillium spp. and Phoma spp. on Welsh onion seeds during 2 years of storage, while storing at higher temperature (25 °C) resulted in the increase in seed infestation with Cladosporium spp. and Fusarium spp. The results obtained from this research can be used as a guideline for the storage in climatic and RH controlled chambers of all genotypes belonging to Allium fistulosum species, with the aim to maintain its seed germination quality related to the duration of the storage and taking into consideration the operating energy costs

Welsh Onion (<i>Allium fistulosum</i> L.) Seed Physiology, Breeding, Production and Trade

In the coming years, it is expected that the European Union countries will increase their interest in the use of the Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.). It is a little-known vegetable from the Far East. Consequently, growers might be asking their extension advisors increasingly about its seed physiology and commercial production. This article provides basic information on the origin of the species, its botanical characteristics, the main breeding directions and achievements, seed production methods and areas, main plant breeding and seed production companies, seed dormancy and the best methods for seed storage, use of the crop and market responses to promotion activities

Use of tetrazolium (TTC), Germ's and greenhouse plant emergences methods for testing seed vigour of selected ornamental plant species

In the years 1996-1997 the experiments were carried out on methods to investigate seed vigour of tassel flower (Amaranthus caudatus L.), sand pink (Dianthus chinensis L.), babies' breath (Gypsophila elegans M.B.), sweet pea (Lathyrus odorathus L.), African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) and zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jasq.). The main goals of this research were to specify conditions for accelerated ageing (AA) of the seeds of a few selected ornamental plant species and to choose the most appropriate methods for their seed vigour evaluation in the laboratory and greenhouse conditions. All used in the experiments seeds came from the commercial seed lots from Polish seed company. Evaluation was carried out on the seed samples with high and low vigour. The latter ones were received through subjecting the seed samples to AA, i.e. by placing them in 100% relative humidity (RH) at 44°C, except African marigold-at 42°C, in the darkness and keeping them for 144, 88, 100, 48, 72 and 72 hours, respectively. The tested seed vigour estimated methods included the Germ's method, the 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazoilum chloride (TTC) method and the test of plant emergences in the greenhouse. The high vigour seeds samples were used as a check. The Germ's method was found to be useful to evaluate sand pink, babies' breath and African marigold seed vigour, whereas the TTC method was found to be suitable for vigour evaluation of sand pink, babies' breath and zinnia. At present stage of our knowledge about seed vigour, the plant emergences in the greenhouse method was found to be the best for evaluation of seed vigour of tassel flower, sand pink, babies' breath, sweet pea and zinnia. It is reasonable to combine a few methods of seed vigour evaluation for ornamental plant species

Some agricultural aspects of seed longevity (literature review)

There has been a vast and numerous literature concerning seed longevity. Most of these works however has focused solely on theoretical and biological aspects of this problem. Some works although deal with practical problems of seed storage. vigour or deterioration. have had relatively little connection with agricultural crops. practical farming or gardening. Therefore, there has been a need to look at this problem from the seednian's and farmer's point of view. The paper comments on how long seeds of agricultural crops species can keep their longevity, how long it is economically reasonable to store them. the effect of the seeds chemical composition on their longevity, how seeds storage conditions can be modified in order to eventually improve their longevity and environment circumstances influence on the final seed longevity. The paper contains a synthetic summary of expected seed longevity of the most important agricultural species and many examples of long longevity of agricultural species

Effect of Chlorocholine Chloride (CCC) on the Plants’ Height and Inulin Content in Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is herbaceous perennial plant rich in inulin and useful source of biomass. Due to its low agricultural requirements and high adaptability, it can provide very high biomass yields even on low quality sites. The plant is used in food industry, bio-fuel production, forage, pharmacy and nutrition. Its tubers accumulate approx. 10-20% of inulin in fresh weight. Currently, the use of the Helianthius tuberosus L. as a potential dietary strategy in patients affected by type 2 Diabetes is challenge. Moreover, deep understanding of the relationship between diet and composition of gut microbiota can bring the new insight in the treatment of inflammatory dependent diseases. The aim of this study was to examine an effect of plant growth retardant Chlorocholine Chloride (CCC) on the plants’ height of H. tuberosus and inulin content in the tubers. We examined in the field a procedure for its shoots reduction. Material for the experiment were bought in a Polish commercial company and 528 tubers were planted in field in the middle of April 2014. Then, half of them were sprayed with 0.75% retardant of CCC . Furthermore, every week for 12 following weeks, the plants’ heights were measured. After the vegetation was over, 6 tubers for each treatment were dug out and chemically analyzed for inulin content using High Pressure Size Exclusion Chromatography. After first week of CCC use, 16% decrease of the heights plants was observed. Height of plants sprayed with CCC were significantly different comparing to Control. Weekly growth was significantly  slower in plants sprayed with CCC on first three weeks after applying retardant. Differences in plants height sustain to the end of measurements. Used retardant and its concentration did not affect the inulin content of the tubers

Effect of Low Frequency Magnetic Field (LFMF) on the Germination of Seeds and Selected Useful Characters of Onion (<i>Allium cepa </i>L.)

Magnetic fields (MF) have been reported widely as pre-sowing seeds treatment to increase their vigour, seedling growth and the plants’ yield. Although it has been shown that MF could affect seed germination and the seedling root growth, still their further effect on plant’s life has been found to be inconsistent, especially under field conditions. Commercial seed lots of onion (Allium cepa L.) of the cultivars ‘Octavia’ and ‘Eureka’ were soaked for 12 hours in the distilled water at 20 °C. Next, they were exposed to low frequency magnetic field (LFMF) of magnetic induction B=20 mT, for 10, 30 and 60 minutes. The LFMF was generated using a standard medical device for magnetostimulation VIOFOR JPS. Next, the seeds were evaluated for germination and received bulbs were analysed for the selected useful characters including the root length, maximal diameters, dry matter and quercetin content. For the LFMF treatment of 60 minutes, for the cultivars ‘Octavia’ and ‘Eureka’, the energy of germination increased from 75.8% and 65% (control) to 88.3% and 87.5%, respectively. For the LFMF treatment of 60 minutes, the germination capacity, for the same cultivars, increased from 85% and 76.3% (control) to 92% and 90%, respectively, treated for 60 minutes with LFMF onion seeds had longer seedlings than the ones from the control seeds. These values, for both cultivars, increased from 5.3 cm and 4.2 cm (control) to 8.4 cm and 5.7 cm, respectively. LFMF used for 60 minutes on the ‘Octavia’ onion seeds, increased their emergences in the field and length of the roots on the bulbs. LFMF used had no effect on the dry matter of bulbs grown out from the seeds when exposing them for 10 and 30 minutes. However, when exposing them for 60 minutes, LFMF decreased the dry matter and increased the amount of quercetin

Seed Priming Applied to Onion-Like Crops: State of the Art and Open Questions

Cultivation of onion and onion-like crops has become a challenge in the context of climate change and innovative solutions are needed to support breeders as well as farmers, starting from the crucial issues of seed quality. Seed priming is routinely used to enhance germination performance and seedling resilience. Although common for radish, tomato, carrot or head cabbage seeds, the technique has been less popular for onion-like crops. This review provides a state-of-the-art picture of the scientific and technological advances that have so far contributed to enhance seed germination and vigour in onion-like crops. A brief description of the different types of priming approaches is provided whereas attention is focused on the following: (i) the impact of seed priming in terms of improved germination, seedling development and resilience to environmental stresses; (ii) the concept of seed quality hallmarks translated from model plants to the genus Allium; (iii) the drawbacks that currently impair the fully exploitation of seed priming in this specific sector of the agrifood chain