Abstrakt

PEG Treatment Improves Germination and Establishment in Older Seeds of Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz): A Potential Biofuel Crop

Vikas Yadav Patade, Deepti Khatri, Kamal Kumar, Ankur Agarwal, Maya Kumari and Mohammed Nasim

Loss of seed viability upon storage is a major concern for oilseed crops. Polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) mediated osmotic and salt (NaCl) induced ionic treatments were given with an objective to enhance the seed germination and survival in a potential biofuel crop, Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz). In a PEG treatment (10% w/v), opening of cotyledonary leaves as well as seedling survival was significantly higher than the control and other osmotic and/or ionic treatments. The plants germinated from seeds treated with PEG were viable and produced flowers and seeds. Thus, the finding revealed positive influence of PEG treatment on seed germination and vigor of seedlings obtained from Camelina seeds with reduced viability. The simple and efficient approach based on PEG induced osmotic treatment may be useful to enhance the germination and vigor of Camelina seedlings.