ASIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, vol.20, no.7, pp.5689-5694, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
Availability of using seaweed extract (as an organic material) in priming technique, which provides physiological improvement to seeds and can be conducted a variety of osmotic solutes, was investigated. The seeds of pepper (cv. California Wonder) were subjected to priming treatments, by the use of 1: 1, 1:5, 1:10, 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, 1:250, 1:500 and 1: 1000 dilutions of seaweed extract (Maxicrop) and also H2O, for 1, 2 and 3 d at 20 degrees C. Their effects on total germination and mean germination time were examined. Consequently, total germination rate increased while mean germination time decreased due to a decrease in seaweed extract concentration and prolonged treatment period. Regarding the negative correlation between total germination rate and mean germination time, the best results were obtained from the 1:500 concentration of the seaweed extract solution. The positive effects also maintained in the 1:1000 and H2O treatments. It was concluded that seaweed extract could also be used as an osmotic agent in organic priming of pepper seeds.