Kinetin as a chemical stimulant to germination ability and subsequent seedlings growth of apricot seeds (Prunus armeniaca L.)

摘要

Kinetin in two concentrations ( 5 & 10 ppm ) either alone or in combination with two moist-chilling periods (15 and 30 days) were tested in the present experiment. The obtained results demonstrated the importance of treating apricot seeds pre-sowing with both Kinetin and moist-chilling process to increase seed germination and viability percentages, accelerate germination process and produce seedlings of strong vegetative growth. The most effective treatment in that respect was that of moist-chilling at 5 +- 1 deg for 15 days followed by soaking into Kinetin solution at 10 ppm for 24 hr at room temperature. Biochemical analysis of embryo constituents supported those of germination percentage and subsequent seedlings growth. Embryos of seeds treated by the superior combination contained the highest values of total soluble phosphorus, soluble organic phosphorus and soluble inorganic phosphorus. Moreover, such treatment was one of the treatments which produced embryos of a higher number of free amino acids along with higher values of total reducing sugars, direct reducing sugars and storage polysaccharides.