Effect of seed cold PEG-priming and subsequent long storage on germination, growth and flowering of Eustoma grandiflorum（Raf.）Shinn ʻExe Lavenderʼ

Cold wet treatment is frequently applied to Eustoma seeds to enhance the bolting rate of plants grown under high temperatures. Our previous study indicated that cold PEG‒primed Eustoma seeds could maintain their germination rate and bolting rate even after being re‒dried for 30days and grown under high temperatures. The present study aimed to investigate whether prolonged storage after cold PEG‒priming affect the germination, growth, and flowering of Eustoma ‘Exe Lavender’ seedling. Seeds were initially cold‒primed with water or PEG‒6000 at ‒1.5 MPa for 5 weeks at 10°C in the dark and were then subjected to re‒drying and storage for 30, 60, 90 and 360days at 10°C. After 360days of storage, cold PEG‒primed seeds germinated earlier and more effectively than cold hydro‒primed seeds. Compared to the results after 30days of storage, plants grown from 360days exhibited similar bolting rate, days to bolting, bolting node and flowering rate, cut flower length and number of flower node. These results suggest that ‘Exe Lavender’ seeds can germinate and develop well even after 360days of storage and under high temperature conditions when subjected to cold PEG‒6000 treatment.

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