Organic Priming with Seaweed Extract (Ascophyllum nodosum) Affects Viability of Pepper Seeds

Abstract

Availability of using seaweed extract (as an organic material) in priming technique, which provides physiological improvement to seeds and can be conducted a variety of osmotic solutes, was investigated. The seeds of pepper (cv. California Wonder) were subjected to priming treatments, by the use of 1:1, 1:5, 1:10, 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, 1:250, 1:500 and 1:1000 dilutions of seaweed extract (Maxicrop) and also H₂O, for 1, 2 and 3 d at 20 °C. Their effects on total germination and mean germination time were examined. Consequently, total germination rate increased while mean germination time decreased due to a decrease in seaweed extract concentration and prolonged treatment period. Regarding the negative correlation between total germination rate and mean germination time, the best results were obtained from the 1:500 concentration of the seaweed extract solution. The positive effects also maintained in the 1:1000 and H₂O treatments. It was concluded that seaweed extract could also be used as an osmotic agent in organic priming of pepper seeds.