Influence of seed priming with stimulants and water soaking on germination behavior of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Two separate tests were conducted in laboratory, to evaluate the germination behavior of sugar beet under effects of priming treatments. The first experiment examined the effect of time ( , 6, 12, 24 an 48 hours) and concentration (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400%) of two types of stimulants (Seed-start and Humic acid). The second experiment is consisted of seed priming times (3, 6, 12, 24 and 48) of two methods of hydration in water (running water and soaking in a Petri dish). The results showed that both tests have a significant effect on germination of sugar beet. The lowest time (3 hours) and the lowest concentration (25%) of priming of the Seed-starter and the Humic acid are desirable to improve sugar beet seed germination. The method of running water (48%) had better effect compared to soaking in a Petri dish (45%). Generally, methods of running water, soaking in a Petri dish, seed-start and Humic acid improve germination 76, 36, 79 and 64% compared to control, respectively. The impact of method and time of priming on germination rate showed the same trend like percentage of germination. Impact of stimulants can be because of nutrition element and influence of leaching with running water can be because of washing the inhibitive material on the seed coat. Seed-start treatment (Concentration of 25% with 3 hours) and leaching with running water (48 hours) can be introduced as the best treatment.