Hormone type, soaking duration and seed coating affect dormancy and germination of pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) lines
Data files
Jul 18, 2025 version files 10.43 KB
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Pellet_process.csv
3.96 KB
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Pellet_soak.csv
3.63 KB
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README.md
2.84 KB
Abstract
Establishment of pennycress is key to ensure uniform stands and maximise canopy closure in autumn. Past work has demonstrated that selected seed treatments could improve germination and establishment, but the optimisation of these processes to minimise inputs and time have not been assessed. The objective of this work was to evaluate seed enhancement technologies (hormone application by soaking and seed coating) to overcome seed dormancy and/or enhance germination. Two black-seeded lines (‘MN106NS’ and ‘ARV1’) and one golden-seeded line (‘tt8-t/ARV1’) were examined. Seeds were soaked in gibberellic acid (GA4+7) or benzyladenine (6-BA), or distilled water for different durations (30, 60, 240 minutes) and compared to an unsoaked control. Results showed that the GA treatment significantly increased germination, particularly for ‘ARV1’ and ‘MN106NS’ lines. Seed coating increased seed diameter but did not enhance germination; instead, it hindered ‘tt8-t/ARV1’ germination by 99-100%. The study suggests soaking seeds for at least 30 minutes in a GA solution to improve germination in black-seeded lines, however, economic and logistical factors must be considered. None of the tested enhancements proved beneficial on the two seed lots of golden-seeded line ‘tt8-t/ARV1’ and further research is needed to examine more seed lots before conclusions can be made.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.51c59zwmm
Description of the data and file structure
Data contained in this entry focuses solely on germination data after pennycress lines were treated with various processes. The Pellet_soak file contains black-seeded and golden-seeded pennycress lines and their germination after being soaked in water, gibberellic acid A4+A7, or benzyladenine for 30, 60, or 240 minutes. Total recorded germination on days 4, 7, and 10 are shared. The file called Pellet_process contains germination data of pennycress seeds after undergoing different intensities of processing that seeds will experience during seed pelleting. Seeds were stopped at different points in the pellet-building process to see if the increased amount of handling and agitation was contributing to changes in germination. Again, germination totals on days 4, 7, and 10 are recorded as well as information on 1000 seed weight, average seed diameter, and change in weight of pelleted seeds after agitation. Missing data for a given variable within a plot is denoted solely with a “.” value as data was not or could not be collected in the specific instance.
Files and variables
File: Pellet_soak.csv
Description: The dataset used to examine the effects of hormones and the soaking process on seed germination.
Variables
- Block (Rep): Experimental run in time.
- Treatment: Soaking treatment used for that experimental unit.
- Pennycress Line: Pennycress line tested. The "-22" or "-21" following 'tt8' indicates the harvest year of the seed lot.
- PlotID: Assigned experimental unit identifier.
- 4 day total germination %: Cumulative percent germination on day 4.
- 7 day total germination %: Cumulative percent germination on day 7.
- 10 day total germination %: Cumulative percent germination on day 10.
File: Pellet_process.csv
Description: The dataset used to analyze the pelleting process impact on seed germination of pennycress.
Variables
- Block (Rep): Experimental run in time.
- Treatment: Applied component of the pelleting process used on this experimental unit.
- Pennycress Line: Pennycress line tested.
- PlotID: Assigned experimental unit identifier.
- 4 day total germination %: Cumulative percent germination on day 4.
- 7 day total germination %: Cumulative percent germination on day 7.
- 10 day total germination %: Cumulative percent germination on day 10.
- Weighted Average Seed Diameter (mm): Weighted average diameter of 100 seeds in mm.
- Weight Difference (g): Change in weight of 5g of pelleted seed after agitation.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data: GEMS Informatics