Seed priming with antioxidants improves sunflower seed germination and seedling growth under unfavorable germination conditions

The results of studying the effects of sunflower seed priming with an aqueous solution of ascorbic acid (A), tocopherol (T), and glutathione (G) performed prior to accelerated ageing and a cold test are presented in this paper. Germination, the percentage of abnormal seedlings, and the lengths of both roots and shoots were monitored. The results showed that the cold test caused a drastic drop in germination, an adverse effect on the shoot length, an increase in the percentage of abnormal seedlings, and no effect on the root length. Germination of seeds primed with the solution of A, T, and G (A+T+G) on which the cold test was then performed did not differ from seed germination of the control. Moreover, seed priming with the A+T+G solution of antioxidant substances prior to the cold test annulled the adverse effect of the cold test on shoot length, as well as on the percentage of abnormal seedlings. Seed priming with the A+T+G solution of antioxidants did not affect root length. Accelerated ageing resulted in a statistically significant decrease in seed germination and root length, but neither shoot length nor the percentage of abnormal seedlings was affected by accelerated ageing. The obtained results show that seed priming with the solution of antioxidant substances performed prior to accelerated ageing had a positive effect on the length of both roots and shoots. Seed priming with the solution of antioxidant substances performed prior to accelerated ageing did not affect germination, but it did increase the percentage of abnormal seedlings. The effect of antioxidant solution priming on the vigor of sunflower seeds exposed to the cold test was significantly more pronounced than that on seeds exposed to accelerated ageing.