Melatonin significantly influences seed germination and seedling growth of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Melatonin (MEL) is a signaling molecule in plants that affects developmental processes during vegetative and reproductive growth. Investigations have proved that exogenously applied MEL also has the potential to improve seed germination and plant development.

Methods

In the present study, seeds of stevia, a species with a very low germination rate, were germinated on an agar gel (AG) containing MEL at various concentrations (5, 20, 100, and 500 µM) in light. Seeds germinated on AG without MEL were used as controls. For the first 24 or 48 h of germination, the seeds were maintained in darkness as a pre-incubation step. Some seeds were not exposed to this pre-incubation step.

Results

At concentrations of 20 and 5 µM, MEL significantly improved germination, bu

SUBMITTER: Simlat M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6016539 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature