Effect of ultra-sonic waves on germination, some germination enzymes and biochemical parameters of Echinacea purpurea L. seed

One of the biophysical methods of seed priming is seed pretreatment with ultrasonic wave. Continuous ultrasonic pulses increase the permeability of seeds shells, accelerate the absorption of water and increase the temperature of the tissues. Increase in turgescence rate and tissues temperature of the seeds treated with ultrasonic wave may be associated with accelerated changes in seed metabolism. Germination of Echinacea purpurea seeds is weak and irregular, which is caused by seed dormancy, so in order to investigation the effect of ultrasound waves on germination, some germination enzymes and biochemical treatiesof coneflower (Echinacea purpureaL.)seeds, in 2017, an experiment was conducted as completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 replications in Agriculture Faculty of Shahrood University of Technology. Experimental treatments consisted of ultrasound waves at 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25 minutes with ultrasonic device with a constant power of 50 watts at 25°C. The results of analysis of variance showed that ultrasound treatment showed a significant effect on measured traits. Ultrasound waves increased the activity of α-amylase, protease, alcohol dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and increased total protein and soluble sugar concentrations in most treatments than control. By increasing alpha-amylase, protease, alcohol dehydrogenase, anginas and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity increased germination percentage, germination rate and seedling dry weight. In most traits, the duration of 15 minutes of treatment with ultrasonic waves showed the highest enzymes activity and germination indexes, So 15 min ultrasonic wave at 25℃ and 50 watt power for improving germination and germination treats in coneflower seeds suggested