<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The high infestation rate of zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) seeds with fungi, especially pathogenic Alternaria zinniae, has frequently resulted in a poor germination capacity associated with a high number of abnormal diseased seedlings. The effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment on the germination, vigour and health of zinnia seeds was investigated. Two samples of zinnia seeds - sample I, characterised with a low germination capacity (39.5%) and a high level of seed infection with A. zinniae (76%), and sample II, with a high germination capacity (87%) and free from this pathogen - were tested. For treatment, seeds were soaked in 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% H2O2 solutions for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min. Initially, the controls were seeds soaked in distilled water for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min, and then the results of selected treatments were compared with results obtained for untreated seeds and seeds treated with a fungicide (20% carbendazim and 45% thiram). The fungi Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. were frequently identified on tested seeds. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide affected the quality of zinnia seeds to a higher extent than the treatment time. However, all of the treatments applied, regardless of time and concentration of H2O2, positively affected seed health, significantly reducing seed infestation by fungi in both samples. Moreover, the lowest level of A. zinniae infection was observed if seeds were soaked in 6% and 9% H2O2 solutions for 60 and 20 min, respectively. Higher concentrations of H2O2 (9% and 12%) negatively influenced seed germination and vigour, especially in sample II. These findings suggested that the treatment of zinnia seeds with hydrogen peroxide can effectively improve germination mostly in samples heavily infected with pathogens, which means that it should be preceded by seed health evaluation.</abstract>

The high infestation rate of zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) seeds with fungi, especially pathogenic Alternaria zinniae, has frequently resulted in a poor germination capacity associated with a high number of abnormal diseased seedlings. The effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment on the germination, vigour and health of zinnia seeds was investigated. Two samples of zinnia seeds - sample I, characterised with a low germination capacity (39.5%) and a high level of seed infection with A. zinniae (76%), and sample II, with a high germination capacity (87%) and free from this pathogen - were tested. For treatment, seeds were soaked in 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% H2O2 solutions for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min. Initially, the controls were seeds soaked in distilled water for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min, and then the results of selected treatments were compared with results obtained for untreated seeds and seeds treated with a fungicide (20% carbendazim and 45% thiram). The fungi Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. were frequently identified on tested seeds. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide affected the quality of zinnia seeds to a higher extent than the treatment time. However, all of the treatments applied, regardless of time and concentration of H2O2, positively affected seed health, significantly reducing seed infestation by fungi in both samples. Moreover, the lowest level of A. zinniae infection was observed if seeds were soaked in 6% and 9% H2O2 solutions for 60 and 20 min, respectively. Higher concentrations of H2O2 (9% and 12%) negatively influenced seed germination and vigour, especially in sample II. These findings suggested that the treatment of zinnia seeds with hydrogen peroxide can effectively improve germination mostly in samples heavily infected with pathogens, which means that it should be preceded by seed health evaluation.

Effects of hydrogen peroxide treatment on the germination, vigour and health of <italic>Zinnia elegans</italic> seeds

Department of Phytopathology, Seed Science and Technology Poznań University of Life Sciences Szamotulska 28, Baranowo, 62-081 Przeźmierowo, Poland

Folia Horticulturae

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effects of hydrogen peroxide treatment on the germination, vigour and health of  seeds

The high infestation rate of zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) seeds with fungi, especially pathogenic Alternaria zinniae, has frequently resulted in a poor...

Effects of hydrogen peroxide treatment on the germination, vigour and health of Zinnia elegans seeds

Published Online: Jun 17, 2014

Page range: 19 - 29

Received: Jun 27, 2013

Accepted: Dec 19, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2014-0002

Keywords
H2O2, seed infestation with fungi, seed quality, zinnia

© by Dorota Szopińska

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effects of hydrogen peroxide treatment on the germination, vigour and health of Zinnia elegans seeds

Published Online: Jun 17, 2014

Page range: 19 - 29

Received: Jun 27, 2013

Accepted: Dec 19, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2014-0002

KeywordsH2O2, seed infestation with fungi, seed quality, zinnia

© by Dorota Szopińska

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
H2O2, seed infestation with fungi, seed quality, zinnia