Effects of osmotic priming and ageing on the germination and emergence of carrot and leek seed

SUMMARY Carrot and leek seed was osmotically primed in polyethylene glycol solution (273 g/kg water and 342 g/kg water respectively) for 10, 14 or 17 days before accelerated ageing for 0, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h. Priming reduced the germination time compared with non‐primed seed. Accelerated ageing increased germination and emergence times and decreased percentage germination and emergence to a greater extent for the primed seeds than for non‐primed seeds in both species. Primed and dried but non‐aged seed from both species was stored at 10°C for 12 months. There was no loss of viability and improvements in germination time due to priming were maintained throughout the storage period for all the priming treatments in leek, and for the 10 and 14 day priming treatments in carrot. Carrot seed primed for 17 days lost some viability after 12 months storage compared with non‐stored seed.