Effect of some seed priming treatments on germination quality of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) seeds

Artichoke as a vegetable crop has difficulties regarding seed germination and uniformity of germinated seedlings. This experiment was done to evaluate the effects of some seed priming treatments on germination quality in Artichoke. The experiment carried out as a factorial based on a completely randomized design under laboratory conditions. Treatments were control (without any treatment), and seed priming with distilled water, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, calcium sulfate in the same concentrations of 10 mM, as well as PEG6000 with osmotic potential of 0.5 MP, and two priming time of 12 and 24 hour.  The results showed that the highest root length was detected in KNO3 and d-water treatments, and the lowest root length control treatment. The highest stem length was in KNO3 that showed no difference with CaNO3. The highest seedling length was in 12 h KNO3 treatment which had significant difference to other treatments. The highest seedling fresh weight was in 12 h KNO3, 24 h CaNO3 and 24 KNO3 without significant difference among them. Regarding germination percentage, 12h and 24 h KNO3 treatments led to the highest germination percentage, while 24 h CaNO3 showed the highest germination rate. The highest and the lowest abnormal seedlings were in 24 h PEG and CaNO3 treatments, respectively. Therefore, priming for 12 h using potassium nitrate or 24 h using calcium nitrate for improving germination characteristics of artichoke is suggested.