Effect of prechilling and nano-selenium on seed germination of Dorema ammoniacum

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of nano-selenium (nano-Se) on germination properties of vasha ( Dorema ammoniacum ), an endangered medicinal plant in Iran. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomised two-factor, experiment with five concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg L -1 ) of nano-Se and seed prechilling treatment (4°C). All the germination characteristics, including percentage germination, mean germination and vigour indices were improved by nano-Se treatments ( p < 0.05). Among the treatments, the combination of prechilling and 20 mg L -1 nano-Se conditioning was the best treatment, both in improving germination and the growth characteristics of seedlings. It can be concluded that pretreatment of seeds with nano-Se and prechilling can be used for promoting germination of D. ammoniacum seeds.