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Seed priming and survival of desiccated Enterobacter cloacae inoculated during seed priming
Abstract
Seed priming is a process in which seed is hydrated and maintained at a designated moisture content under defined temperature and aeration conditions. The seed is dried after a specified time and planted with conventional equipment. Seed priming generally accelerates germination, particularly during adverse temperature or moisture conditions. The treatment has also increased the vigor and uniformity of numerous crops in the field. Inoculating seed with bacteria during solid matrix seed priming has increased the efficacy of the bacteria. Solid matrix priming techniques were developed for field and sweet corn seed (Zea mays L.) which were compatible with bacterial growth during seed priming and were practical for large scale application. Germination characteristics of solid matrix primed field and sweet corn were tested under a range of temperatures in the laboratory. Solid matrix priming expanded the temperature range over which germination was allowed to proceed. At 5.6$\sp\circ$C on plates, 93% primed and 0% control Mo17 x B73 field corn seed germinated after 12 days. Primed seed response in the field depended on the cultivar and environment in which the seed was planted. Solid matrix priming may be useful for certain field or sweet corn cultivars where temperature stress is a problem. Seed of field corn, onion (Allium cepa L.), and two sweet corn cultivars were inoculated with Enterobacter cloacae 102 (EC102) during and after solid matrix seed priming. These treatments were stored at 4$\sp\circ$, 20$\sp\circ$, and 30$\sp\circ$C for 3 months. Increasing the storage temperature decreased the survivability of desiccated EC102. Survivability was improved when EC102 was allowed to grow on the seed during seed priming. Seed species and cultivar affected EC102 survivability only when the bacteria was allowed to grow on the seed. Results from subsequent experiments suggest that bacterial preconditioning due to growth on the seed (possibly from seed exudate), and physical protection of the bacterial cell may be involved with increased survivability of EC102. These results imply that seed species and genotype can alter bacterial characteristics.
Subject Area
Agronomy|Botany|Microbiology
Recommended Citation
Kubik, Keith Kevin, "Seed priming and survival of desiccated Enterobacter cloacae inoculated during seed priming" (1995). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9528824.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9528824