Effect of accelerated aging and seed priming on germination and some biochemical indices of cumin (Cuminum Cyminum L.)

In order to investigate the effect of accelerated ageing and priming on biochemical and germination indices of cumin, a two factors experiment was conducted based on completely random design with four replications. Experimental factors were included seed deterioration in four levels (control, 12, 24, 36 hours) and priming in five levels (urea and KH2PO4 in two Osmotic potentials of -1 and -1.5 Mpa, and hydro-priming with distilled water). The highest catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities as well as soluble protein content were observed in the non-deteriorated seeds primed with KH2PO4 -1.5 Mpa. Also that the highest germination percentage (86%) and germination rate (2.34 seed day-1), seedling length vigor index (4.90) and the lowest mean germination time (8.4 day) related to the nondeteriorated seeds primed with KH2PO4 -1.5 Mpa. The biggest shoot (3.52cm) and root (2.32cm) length attained from not deteriorate seeds that primed with urea -1.5 Mpa. Generally, the results showed that priming by KH2PO4 with osmotic potential of -1.5 Mpa could improve vigor of
deteriorated seed of cumin.