Abstract

Glycine max is a worthy legume with multiple functions in food, feed and pharmaceutical applications, One of the problems of G. max production is seed deterioration and low vigour during planting time. In order to investigate the effects of salicylic acid and ethylene on germination improvement of deteriorated seed of G. max, series of experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. Treatments included non-deteriorated seeds, stored seeds (kept in 25°C for one year) and accelerated aged seeds (kept in 40°C and relative humidity of 100% for one, two and three days). Salicylic acid (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 0.9 mM concentration) and ethephon (0, 1, 5 and 9 mM concentration) were used. Hormones were used before and after seed aging except for stored seeds, these seeds were treated by hormones only after aging. Germination percentage, vigour index and electrical conductivity were evaluated. Results showed that salicylic acid did not change electrical conductivity but it had inhibitory effect on the rest of germination indices. When ethephon was used before aging it could improve germination indices but after aging it did not improve germination indices and electrical conductivity.