Research Article Open Access

Durum Wheat Seed Germination Response to Hydrogel Coatings and Moisture under Drought Stress

Maya Hotta1, James Kennedy2, Clement Higginbotham1 and Noreen Morris3
  • 1 Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
  • 2 Centre for Industrial Services and Design, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
  • 3 Department of Life and Physical Sciences, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland

Abstract

Technologies that can increase crop production while maintaining low pollution are essential for sustainable agriculture. This study compares the germination performance of Durum wheat seeds (Triticum durum Desf.) which were coated with synthetic coatings [polyacrylamide (PA)] and novel natural coatings [mixtures of agar/ι-carrageenan (AC)] at different moisture levels. A number of germination performance indicators were measured for each of the categories of coatings. These included: (i) % germination, (ii) radicle emergence, (iii) speed of germination, (iv) seedling length, (v) fresh seed weight and (vi) seed vigour index. Results showed that both the synthetic and natural coatings improved germination performance in the Durum wheat seeds versus the untreated seeds when non-drought (80% moisture) conditions were used. However, when 40% moisture levels were used, the natural coated seeds showed a 6% improvement in germination performance over the synthetic PA coated seeds. This improved germination performance under drought stress along with the fact that these novel AC coatings used are completely natural and environmentally friendly suggests that these novel coatings have a big future in seed coatings, especially in countries which experience drought conditions and are dependent on natural irrigation.

American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Volume 11 No. 2, 2016, 67-75

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajabssp.2016.67.75

Submitted On: 24 March 2016 Published On: 2 May 2016

How to Cite: Hotta, M., Kennedy, J., Higginbotham, C. & Morris, N. (2016). Durum Wheat Seed Germination Response to Hydrogel Coatings and Moisture under Drought Stress. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, 11(2), 67-75. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajabssp.2016.67.75

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Keywords

  • Drought Test
  • Triticum Durum Wheat
  • ι-Carrageenan
  • Polyacrylamide
  • Seed Coating