The Effect of Increasing Doses of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination of Selected Ornamental Plant Species

The primary goal of this study was to assess how two techniques for applying progressively higher doses of zinc and cadmium impact seed germination of selected ornamental plant species. The experiments were conducted in the accredited laboratory of the W. Legutko Breeding and Seed Company in Jutrosi...

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Main Authors: Olzacki Marcin, Maciej Bosiacki, Sławomir Świerczyński
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1262
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author Olzacki Marcin
Maciej Bosiacki
Sławomir Świerczyński
author_facet Olzacki Marcin
Maciej Bosiacki
Sławomir Świerczyński
author_sort Olzacki Marcin
collection DOAJ
description The primary goal of this study was to assess how two techniques for applying progressively higher doses of zinc and cadmium impact seed germination of selected ornamental plant species. The experiments were conducted in the accredited laboratory of the W. Legutko Breeding and Seed Company in Jutrosin, along with the Department of Plant Physiology at Poznań University of Life Sciences. Seeds from two ornamental species, <i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Cham. and <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i>, were utilized. Two methods were used to treat the seeds with heavy metal solutions, involving four distinct two-factor experiments, each comprising eight combinations. This methodology adhered to the current ISTA guidelines. Germination energy was assessed after 7 days, while germination capacity was measured after 14 days. The two methods exhibited different effects on germination capacity and energy. The technique for treating seeds with heavy metal solutions and the duration of exposure to the metals play a significant role in germination. Soaking <i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Cham. seeds in increasing doses of zinc and cadmium solutions for 10 min before sowing showed no significant effect on their energy or germination capacity. Likewise, soaking <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i> seeds in zinc solutions for 10 min before sowing did not significantly influence their energy and germination capacity. However, soaking <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i> seeds in cadmium solutions for 10 min before sowing did not notably affect their germination capacity but significantly diminished their germination energy. Extended exposure of seeds placed on blotting paper soaked in cadmium sulfate and zinc sulfate solutions across all concentrations reduced energy and germination capacity for <i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Cham. and <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i> seeds.
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spelling doaj-art-be8c0145039546d2a8c4e7c9e150bafc2025-08-20T03:26:14ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-05-01156126210.3390/agronomy15061262The Effect of Increasing Doses of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination of Selected Ornamental Plant SpeciesOlzacki Marcin0Maciej Bosiacki1Sławomir Świerczyński2Department of Plant Physiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 35, 60-637 Poznan, PolandDepartment of Plant Physiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 35, 60-637 Poznan, PolandDepartment of Ornamental Plants, Dendrology and Pomology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, J.H. Dąbrowskiego 159, 60-594 Poznan, PolandThe primary goal of this study was to assess how two techniques for applying progressively higher doses of zinc and cadmium impact seed germination of selected ornamental plant species. The experiments were conducted in the accredited laboratory of the W. Legutko Breeding and Seed Company in Jutrosin, along with the Department of Plant Physiology at Poznań University of Life Sciences. Seeds from two ornamental species, <i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Cham. and <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i>, were utilized. Two methods were used to treat the seeds with heavy metal solutions, involving four distinct two-factor experiments, each comprising eight combinations. This methodology adhered to the current ISTA guidelines. Germination energy was assessed after 7 days, while germination capacity was measured after 14 days. The two methods exhibited different effects on germination capacity and energy. The technique for treating seeds with heavy metal solutions and the duration of exposure to the metals play a significant role in germination. Soaking <i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Cham. seeds in increasing doses of zinc and cadmium solutions for 10 min before sowing showed no significant effect on their energy or germination capacity. Likewise, soaking <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i> seeds in zinc solutions for 10 min before sowing did not significantly influence their energy and germination capacity. However, soaking <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i> seeds in cadmium solutions for 10 min before sowing did not notably affect their germination capacity but significantly diminished their germination energy. Extended exposure of seeds placed on blotting paper soaked in cadmium sulfate and zinc sulfate solutions across all concentrations reduced energy and germination capacity for <i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Cham. and <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i> seeds.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1262cadmiumzincseed quality<i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Cham.<i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i>
spellingShingle Olzacki Marcin
Maciej Bosiacki
Sławomir Świerczyński
The Effect of Increasing Doses of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination of Selected Ornamental Plant Species
Agronomy
cadmium
zinc
seed quality
<i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Cham.
<i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i>
title The Effect of Increasing Doses of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination of Selected Ornamental Plant Species
title_full The Effect of Increasing Doses of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination of Selected Ornamental Plant Species
title_fullStr The Effect of Increasing Doses of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination of Selected Ornamental Plant Species
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Increasing Doses of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination of Selected Ornamental Plant Species
title_short The Effect of Increasing Doses of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination of Selected Ornamental Plant Species
title_sort effect of increasing doses of heavy metals on seed germination of selected ornamental plant species
topic cadmium
zinc
seed quality
<i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Cham.
<i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1262
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