| dc.description.abstract | This study assessed the potential of pre-hydration treatment with aqueous solutions
(electrolysed [cathodic water; CW] and non-electrolysed) prepared from four different inorganic
ion combinations: 1 mM CaCl2, 1 m CaCl2 and 1 mM MgCl2 (CaMg, hereafter), 1 mM MgCl2 and
1 mM NaCl to invigorate controlled deteriorated (CDd) Brassica oleracea (cabbage) and Lactuca sativa
(lettuce) seeds by assessing germination, vigour and biochemical markers (electrolyte leakage, lipid
peroxidation products, protein carbonylation, and defence and germination associated enzymes) of
oxidative stress. Additionally, the possible e ects of pH of electrolysed CaMg and NaCl solutions
were assessed. The inorganic salt solutions were applied to fresh seeds and seeds deteriorated to
75% viability (P75), 50% viability (P50) and 25% viability (P25); deionised water served as control.
The pre-hydration treatment did not enhance normal seedling production in cabbage. However,
Ca-containing and CW hydration treatments (CaCl2 CW, CaMg and CaMg CW [6.5], MgCl2 CW, NaCl
CW and NaCl CW [6.5]) promoted normal seedling production of CDd lettuce seeds, while seedling
vigour was enhanced by CaMg, CaMg CW (6.5), NaCl CW and NaCl CW (6.5) in CDd cabbage seeds,
and CaCl2, CaCl2 CW, CaMg, CaMgCW(6.5), MgCl2 CW, NaClCWand NaClCW(6.5) in CDd lettuce
seeds. The supplementation of Ca, a component of the ionised solutes, and/or the reducing potential
of CW contributed to increased normal seedling production in lettuce seeds irrespective of the pH
of treatment solutions or degree of deterioration. Overall, the pre-hydration treatments enhanced
endogenous antioxidants leading to reduced levels of electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, protein
carbonylation, and enhanced germination enzyme activities in lettuce seeds. The study concluded
that pre-hydration with selected inorganic salt solutions can invigorate debilitated lettuce seeds. | en_US |
