Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
2
Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Drought stress is regarded as the primary limiting factor for different crops within agricultural systems located in arid and semi-arid areas. Thus, choosing suitable plant seeds and assessing their growth under drought stress serves as an effective approach to manage these conditions and yield optimal crops. The tomato plant is an essential annual crop that is adversely affected by drought stress, and its germination stage is notably susceptible. The selection of commercial tomato seeds for economic production is crucial. In this regard, this research focused on analyzing the germination parameters influenced by low water potential induced by mannitol, which simulates drought stress, and the growth of the tomato seed Super Strain-B (F1). This research was conducted at room temperature, where seed germination occurred in Petri dishes with varying concentrations of the osmoticum (0, -3, -6, -9, and -12 bars of drought induced by mannitol). Our findings indicate that drought stress by mannitol significantly decreased germination. The findings indicated that in treatments with -9 and -12 bar potential, the germination parameters of seeds, like germination percentage and rate, mean daily germination, hypocotyl and epicotyl length, and fresh and dry weight of epicotyl and hypocotyl, were significantly lower, with some treatments showing zero amount in comparison to others. In contrast, the control treatment exhibited faster germination parameters, so that complete seed germination occurred by the ninth day. The findings of this study have important implications for helping tomato production and sustainable land management, especially in regions with limited water resources.
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