Promotion and synchronization of cereal grain germination by osmotic pretreatment with polyethylene glycol

Summary The effects of osmotic pretreatments were tested on the germination responses of oat and wheat grains. Temperature and duration of the pretreatment with polyethylene glycol (PEG) at two osmotic potentials (OP) were the experimental variables. The rate and synchronization of germination at 5–25 °C were significantly improved in both species by osmotic pretreatments compared with untreated controls. Maximum promotive effects were obtained after pretreatment periods of 6 and 4 days at – 10 bars at 5 and 10 °C respectively, and after 3 days at – 20 bars at 25 °C. Rapid and synchronized germination of seeds may be of advantage by minimizing their exposure to environmental hazards at early stages following imbibition and by allowing more favorable competition with other fast-germinating and growing species.