Priming leek seed for improved germination and emergence at high temperature

Verina' leek (Allium porrum L.) seed germination is normally reduced at temperatures >25C. Leeks seeds were primed in aerated solutions (-1.5 MPa, 10 days at 15C) of D-mannitol (mannitol), polyethylene glycol-8000 (PEG a ), KNO 3 , and a non-aerated solution of PEG-8000 (PEG na ). At high temperatures mannitol, PEG a , and PEG na significantly enhanced germination percentage relative to KNO 3 or the control. At constant 30C, the mannitol, PEG a , and PEG na treatments increased final germination almost 10 times and the coefficent of velocity (COV) was improved compared to KNO 3 and the control (...)