Investigation the effects of priming applications to reduce aging damage in safflower seeds

The present study was carried out determine germination parameters and biochemical changes and antioxidant enzyme activities in control, primed and non-primed seeds after accelerated aging test. Seeds of Linas and Montola 2000 cultivars were in the study. Accelerated aging was applied to seeds at 43°C for 72 h. After accelerated aging, seeds were primed with 3% ascorbic acid, 2% CaCl2 and 0.1% glutathione solutions. Germination tests were carried out at 25°C for 14 days using control, non-primed and primed aged seeds. Germination, normal and abnormal seedling percentages and germination time were recorded. To determine biochemical changes and antioxidant enzyme activities, 9 parameters along with superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities were assesed. Data was subjected to analysis of variance and differences between means were separated with Duncan multiple range test at P <0.05. Control seeds had the highest germination, normal seedling and the lowest abnormal seedling percentages with the shortest germination time. Accelerated aging reduced germination and normal seedling percentages; increased abnormal seedling percentage and germination times. Priming after aging treatments increased germination and normal seedling percentages, reduced abnormal seedling percentage, but did not reduce germination time. Effects of priming applications on biochemical contents of seeds after accelerated aging test was different among applications. Generally, reducing sugars, free fatty acids, free aminoacids, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents decreased, and soluble phenolics and protein contents increased in primed seeds after aging. Priming applications did not change oil and flavanoid contents of seeds. While superoxide dismutase activity decreased, peroxidase activity showed differences between in primed seeds.