Effect of accelerated aging conditions on viability of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.)‎ Seeds

Abstract EN

Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) Seeds were subjected to accelerated aging treatment for, 3 and 7 day at 45 ±1 C° and 100 % relative humidity.

These artificially aged seeds were compared to control (Unaged seeds) for evaluation of seed vigor.

Accelerated aging of Sunflower seeds up to three days had significant effect on germination percentage.

However, further increase in aging period highly decreased germination percentage .

Germinability was lost completely at 7 days of acceleration.

In addition, the reduction in germination percentage, there are reduction in seedling length, germination speed index, seed vigor index, seedling fresh & dry weight.

These results suggest that, at least within the first 3 days of accelerated aging, there was no direct relationship between lipid peroxidation and deterioration in membrane integrity.

Finally, the results revealed that accelerated aging caused depression of sunflower seeds viability through the above parameters.