Influence of storage temperatures on linseed germination

Abstract

High-quality sowing material is an important condition for obtaining high yields and quality agricultural products. Since the seeds are storing for a long time, it is necessary to ensure an effective system of it protection against adverse factors during the period of achene formation, harvesting and storage in order to preserve its longevity, yields and yield properties. In case of incorrect storage, the seeds rapidly lose their qualities.  To maintain viability - is biological adaptation and resistance of seeds to changing of environmental conditions. Longevity is a consequence of ability to save life in environment and mainly depends on internal factors - the level and nature of the metabolism of seeds. Therefore, seeds of different species have different storage duration. Now, unfortunately, there is not enough information about relationship between chemical composition of seeds, conditions of storage and its longevity. The chemical composition and morphology of seeds are primarily a species and varietal trait, but are also determined by conditions of its formation, which may lead to changes that often exceed the varietal values. Seeds of oilcrops have a certain specificity of storage, because reserve constituents, which used by the bud for germination are deposits in the seed in form of fats. At the same time, oilseeds quickly lose viability under uncontrolled conditions. This is due to lipid peroxidation (lipids are abundant in seeds) and other biochemical processes, which leads to destruction of membranes, including mitochondrial.
The purpose of study was to determine longevity of seeds linseed varieties under various temperature regimes of storage. In order to determine linseed germination, stored at different temperature regimes during 2016-2017, was conducted research at the educational research laboratory «Analytical research in Plant Growing» of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. Six domestic varieties of linseed were chosen - Iceberg, Vodograi, Blakytno-Pomaranchevyi, Evryka, Pivdenna Nich, Original and a variety of German selection - Liryna. Germination of seeds, which was used for research, was in range 93 - 98%. Seed moisture – is 6.2 - 7.6%. The seeds were stored in three temperature regimes - + 5 ° С, -20 ° С and unregulated conditions (room temperature). The term of storage is 1.5 years.  Germination was checked after 1 year and 1.5 years from the moment of laying on storage. The seeds were germinated in Petri dishes in a climatostat of brand KS-200 SPU at a temperature + 20 ° С.  Repetition of the experiment is quadruple. Counting of germinated seeds was carried out on 7th day. When seeds were germinated after a year of storage, the temperature regimes + 5 ° C and -20 ° C showed similar results, difference between them was not significant, and values close to the original germination of seeds. Separately can be noted variety Liryna, which showed a sharp decreasing of seeds germination. So at an initial germination 98%, after storage at temperature -20 ° C  was obtained germination 91%, and at + 5 ° C - 70%. For the storage in unregulated conditions varieties reacted differently. However, was observed a significant decreasing of germination for all varieties. The best result was showed by variety Original, its germination was 75%.  Varieties Iceberg, Evryka, Lyiryna, Pivdenna nich had a close indicators of germination - 48 - 51%. Varieties Vodogray and Blakytno-pomaranchevyi had a low germination indexes, close to 20% in storage at unregulated conditions.
After one and a half years of storage, the same tendency was followed - a slight decrease in germination under temperature regimes + 5 ° C and -20 ° C, a significant further decrease for storage in unregulated conditions.  According to the obtained data, it can be concluded that the temperature regime of storage affects on germination of linseed. The best modes for storage it are -20 ° C and + 5 ° C. With seeds storage in unregulated conditions all varieties showed a sharp decrease of germination which was much lower of regulatory requirements. A significant range of variation in seed germination of linseed varieties indicates the need for further research to determine the factors that cause such decrease of seeds germination.