Effect of the storage at low temperatures on the germination and antioxidant activity of Geum urbanum seeds

The effect of low temperatures (chilling 4 degrees and freezing -75 degrees C) on germination and antioxidant activity of medicinal Geum urbanum seeds was investigated. In the recent years, the interest for the conservation of medicinal plants was increased. Thus, the maintenance of seed viability during ex situ conservation is essential for the preservation of the medicinal plants and their genetic diversity. In our case, storage at chilling and freezing temperatures improved the germination percentage from 46% (seeds stored at room temperature) to 100% (seeds stored at -75 degrees C). Also, the amylase activity was higher (1.06 and 1.10 U/ml) compared to the seeds stored at room temperature (0.63 U/ml). The antioxidant activity increased after chilling storage from 23.29893 mM Trolox/g to 25.0544 mM Trolox/g and decreased to 19.39789 mM Trolox/g after freezing storage. These values were not correlated with the germination percentage. The study indicated that the exposure at low temperature improved the germination capacity and biochemical particularities of seeds initially stored at room temperature, so cold temperatures could be an efficient storage method for G. urbanum seeds.