Moisture Stress and Hydration-Dehydration Effects on Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata) Seed Germination

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Abstract
Increased osmotic potential from 0 to −14 bars decreased the moisture uptake and germination of mechanically scarified hemp sesbania [Sesbania exaltata(Raf.) Cory] seed. Germination percentage for osmotic potential of 0, −2, −4, −6, and −8 bars was 86%, 86%, 70%, 19%, and 1%, respectively. This response to moisture stress was modified by imbibition, or hydration-dehydration, of the seed prior to the moisture stress. Imbibing the seed for as little as 2 h significantly increased its subsequent germination against moisture stress. One hydration-dehydration cycle had little or no effect on germination, but as the number of cycles increased, the germination percentage decreased. Prolonged hydration of 3 and 7 days followed by dehydration greatly reduced subsequent seed germination.