Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Effects of Beneficial Microorganisms and GA₃ Applications on Germination Parameters during Seed Germination Processes of Some Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Cultivars and Genotype

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 6, 868 - 874, 15.11.2025
https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1800518

Abstract

In this study, the effects of beneficial microorganisms and gibberellic acid (GA₃) applications on the germination parameters of seeds belonging to the Kaman 1 and Chandler walnut varieties and the Kaman 5 walnut genotype were investigated. The applications included the use of beneficial microorganisms (B Musa Vita®, B Musa Green®, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-ERS®, and T22 (Trichoderma harzianum Rifai KRL-AG2®)) as well as 500 and 750 ppm GA₃ doses. The effects on germination parameters such as germination rate, main root length, stem diameter, shoot thickness, root quality, and root shape index were evaluated. The seeds were soaked in water for 24 hours before the application of organic and inorganic stimulants and then surface sterilized with a 5% Captan-based fungicide. After application, they were placed in pots containing perlite and vermiculite at a 1:1 ratio. All applications were maintained at +4°C and 75% relative humidity for 10 weeks. As a result of the applications, the highest germination rates were observed in the Kaman 1 variety and Kaman 5 genotype, while the lowest germination rate was determined in the Chandler variety (P<0.01). In terms of variety/genotype, the best results for main root length, shoot thickness, shoot dry weight, stem diameter, root fibrousness degree, root shape index, and root distribution homogeneity were obtained from the Kaman 1 walnut variety and the Kaman 5 walnut genotype. The best results in terms of shoot length and fresh shoot weight were observed in the Kaman 1 walnut variety (P<0.01). As a result, the highest germination rates in the Kaman 1 walnut variety were obtained from the control, T-22, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-ERS®, B Musa Vita®, and B Musa Green® treatments, while in the Kaman 5 genotype, the highest germination rate was observed in the B Musa Vita® treatment.In the Chandler variety, the highest germination rate was obtained from the Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-ERS® treatment.

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was not required for this study because there was no study on animals or humans.

References

  • Allard-Massicotte R, Tessier L, Lécuyer F, Lakshmanan V, Lucier J, Garneau D, Caudwell L, Vlamakis H, Bais HP, Beauregard PB. 2016. Bacillus subtilis early colonization of Arabidopsis thaliana roots involves multiple chemotaxis receptors. mBio, 7(6): e01664-16. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01664-16
  • Beneduzi A, Ambrosini A, Passaglia LM. 2012. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR): Their potential as antagonists and biocontrol agents. Genet Mol Biol, 35: 1044–105
  • Cai XQ, Lin CP, He H, Hu FP. 2005. Effects of endophytic bacterial strain BS-2 on rice seeding growth. J Fujian Agric For Univ (Nat Sci Ed), 34(2): 189 194
  • Çoban F. 2023. Gibberellik asit, asetil salisilik asit ve katlanma uygulamalarının ceviz (Juglans regia L.) tohumlarının çimlenmesi ile çöğür gelişimi üzerine etkileri. MSc Thesis, Harran University, Institute of Science, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye, pp: 7-14.
  • Egharevba RK, Ikhatua MI, Kalu C. 2005. The Influence of seed treatments and growing media on seedling growth and development of African walnut, Plukenetia conophorum. Afr J of Biotechnol, 4(8): 808-811
  • Fatemeh A, Masoud T, Pejman A, Aidin H. 2014. Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) and stratification on germination traits of Crataegus pseudoheterophylla Pojark Seeds. Sci Hortic, 172: 61-67.
  • Genç S, Soysal Mİ. 2018. Parametric and nonparametric post hoc tests. BSJ Eng Sci, 1(1): 18-27.
  • Jain A, Singh A, Chaudhary A, Singh S, Singh HB. 2014. Modulation of nutritional and antioxidant potential of seeds and pericarp of pea pods treated with microbial consortium. Food Res Int, 64: 275-282.
  • Keswani C, Mishra S, Sarma BK, Singh SP, Singh HB. 2014. Unraveling the efficient applications of secondary metabolites of various Trichoderma spp. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 98: 533-544.
  • Lamichhane S, Thapa R, Thapa P, Ahamad K. 2021. Effect of different pre-sowing treatments on germination of Persian walnut (Juglans Regia L.) in Rukum (East) district, Nepal. Turk J Agri Food Sci Technol, 9(6): 1165-1171.
  • Li Y. 2002. Effect of microbial fertilizer and its exploitation. Biotic Resources, 24: 8-10
  • Liu D, Chen J, Yang H, Yousaf Z, Liu CY, Huang BS. 2022. Growth promotion effects of Bacillus subtilis on Bletilla striata seedlings. World J Tradit Chin Med, 8(2): 236-240.
  • Liu FC, Xing SJ, Ma HL, Du ZY, Ma BY. 2014. Effects of inoculating plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on the biological characteristics of walnut (Juglans regia) rhizosphere soil under drought condition. J Appl Ecol, 25(5): 1475- 1482.
  • Matilla A, Matilla-Vazquez M. 2008. Involvement of ethylene in seed physiology. Plant Sci, 175: 87-97.
  • Miljaković D, Marinković J, Tamindžić G, Đorđević V, Tintor B, Milošević D, Nikolić Z. 2022. Bio-priming of soybean with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bacillus megaterium: Strategy to improve seed germination and the initial seedling growth. Plants, 11(15): 1927.
  • Mortier E, Lamotte O, Martin-Laurent F, Recorbet G. 2020. Forty years of study on interactions between walnut tree and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: A review. Agron Sustain Dev, 40: 1-21.
  • Nicholson WL, Munakata N, Horneck G, Melosh HJ, Setlow P. 2000. Resistance of Bacillus endospores to extreme terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev, 64: 548–572.
  • Noumavo PA, Kochoni E, Didagbé YO, Adjanohoun A, Allagbé M, Sikirou R, Baba-Moussa L. 2013. Effect of different plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on maize seed germination and seedling development. American J Plant Sci, 4(5): 1013-1021
  • Parvin P, Khezri M, Tavasolian I, Hosseini H. 2015. The effect of gibberellic acid and chilling stratification on seed germination of eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra L.). J Nuts, 6(01): 67-76.
  • Pill WG, Collins CM, Goldberger B, Gregory N. 2009. Responses of non-primed or primed seeds of ‘Marketmore 76’cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) slurry coated with Trichoderma species to planting in growth media infested with Pythium aphanidermatum. Sci Hortic, 121: 54-62.
  • Raoufi A, Vahdati K, Karimi S, Roozban MR. 2020. Optimizing Seed Germination and Growth of Seedlings in Persian Walnut. J Nuts, 11(3): 185-193.
  • Raufi A, Vahdati K, Karimi S, Roozban MR. 2017. Optimizing early grafting of Persian walnut by evaluating different rootstocks, covering materials and grafting methods. J Nuts, 8(2): 97-106
  • Rostamikia Y, Kouchaksaraei MT, Asgharzadeh A, Rahmani A. 2016. The Effect of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Corylus avellana Seedlings. Ecopersia, 4(3): 1471-1479.
  • Shakeel S, Hassan DG. 2018. In vitro Bioefficacy of Rhizobacteria, Isolated from Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Rhizosphere in North-Western Himalayas, against Five Fungal Phytopathogens. Appl Biol Res, 20(3): 234-243.
  • Singh A, Sarma BK, Upadhyay RS, Singh HB. 2013. Compatible rhizosphere microbes mediated alleviation of biotic stress in chickpea through enhanced antioxidant and phenylpropanoid activities. Microbiol Res, 168: 33-40.
  • Singh V, Upadhyay RS, Sarma BK, Singh HB. 2016. Seed bio-priming with Trichoderma asperellum effectively modulate plant growth promotion in pea. Int J Agric Environ Biotechnol, 9(3): 361-365.
  • Vahdati K, Hoseini SH. 2004. Introducing an innovative procedure for large commercial seed lots stratification in Persian walnut. Acta Hortic, 705: 355–357.
  • Vujanovic V, St-Arnaud M, Barabe D, Thibeault G. 2000. Viability testing of orchid seed and promotion of coloration and germination. Ann Bot (Lond.), 86(1): 79-86.
  • Waller F, Achatz B, Baltruschat H, Fodor J, Becker K, Fischer M, Heier T, Hückelhoven R, Neumann C, von Wettstein D, Franken P, Kogel KH. 2005. The endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica reprograms barley to salt-stress tolerance, disease resistance, and higher yield. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 102: 13386-13391.
  • Wang WQ, Shi QL, Bai JJ, Liu P, Zhang YH. 2010. Effects of microbial fertilizers on the ecological characteristics of soil in the Chinese yam field and disease index. J Shanxi Agric Sci, 38: 37–39+56.
  • Woo SL, Ruocco M, Vinale F, Nigro M, Marra R, Lombardi N, Pascale A, Lanzuise S, Manganiello G, Lorito M. 2014. Trichoderma-based products and their widespread use in agriculture. Open Mycol J, 8: 71-126.
  • Yamaguchi S. 2008. Gibberellin metabolism and its regulation. Annu Rev Plant Biol, 59: 225-251.
  • Yılmaz ÇN. 2019. Arbüsküler mikorizal fungus (Glomus spp.) türlerinin ceviz (Juglans regia) çöğürlerinin büyüme ve morfolojisi üzerine etkisi. MSc Thesis, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Institute of Science, Kırşehir, Türkiye, pp: 7-18.

Effects of Beneficial Microorganisms and GA₃ Applications on Germination Parameters during Seed Germination Processes of Some Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Cultivars and Genotype

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 6, 868 - 874, 15.11.2025
https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1800518

Abstract

In this study, the effects of beneficial microorganisms and gibberellic acid (GA₃) applications on the germination parameters of seeds belonging to the Kaman 1 and Chandler walnut varieties and the Kaman 5 walnut genotype were investigated. The applications included the use of beneficial microorganisms (B Musa Vita®, B Musa Green®, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-ERS®, and T22 (Trichoderma harzianum Rifai KRL-AG2®)) as well as 500 and 750 ppm GA₃ doses. The effects on germination parameters such as germination rate, main root length, stem diameter, shoot thickness, root quality, and root shape index were evaluated. The seeds were soaked in water for 24 hours before the application of organic and inorganic stimulants and then surface sterilized with a 5% Captan-based fungicide. After application, they were placed in pots containing perlite and vermiculite at a 1:1 ratio. All applications were maintained at +4°C and 75% relative humidity for 10 weeks. As a result of the applications, the highest germination rates were observed in the Kaman 1 variety and Kaman 5 genotype, while the lowest germination rate was determined in the Chandler variety (P<0.01). In terms of variety/genotype, the best results for main root length, shoot thickness, shoot dry weight, stem diameter, root fibrousness degree, root shape index, and root distribution homogeneity were obtained from the Kaman 1 walnut variety and the Kaman 5 walnut genotype. The best results in terms of shoot length and fresh shoot weight were observed in the Kaman 1 walnut variety (P<0.01). As a result, the highest germination rates in the Kaman 1 walnut variety were obtained from the control, T-22, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-ERS®, B Musa Vita®, and B Musa Green® treatments, while in the Kaman 5 genotype, the highest germination rate was observed in the B Musa Vita® treatment.In the Chandler variety, the highest germination rate was obtained from the Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-ERS® treatment.

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was not required for this study because there was no study on animals or humans.

References

  • Allard-Massicotte R, Tessier L, Lécuyer F, Lakshmanan V, Lucier J, Garneau D, Caudwell L, Vlamakis H, Bais HP, Beauregard PB. 2016. Bacillus subtilis early colonization of Arabidopsis thaliana roots involves multiple chemotaxis receptors. mBio, 7(6): e01664-16. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01664-16
  • Beneduzi A, Ambrosini A, Passaglia LM. 2012. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR): Their potential as antagonists and biocontrol agents. Genet Mol Biol, 35: 1044–105
  • Cai XQ, Lin CP, He H, Hu FP. 2005. Effects of endophytic bacterial strain BS-2 on rice seeding growth. J Fujian Agric For Univ (Nat Sci Ed), 34(2): 189 194
  • Çoban F. 2023. Gibberellik asit, asetil salisilik asit ve katlanma uygulamalarının ceviz (Juglans regia L.) tohumlarının çimlenmesi ile çöğür gelişimi üzerine etkileri. MSc Thesis, Harran University, Institute of Science, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye, pp: 7-14.
  • Egharevba RK, Ikhatua MI, Kalu C. 2005. The Influence of seed treatments and growing media on seedling growth and development of African walnut, Plukenetia conophorum. Afr J of Biotechnol, 4(8): 808-811
  • Fatemeh A, Masoud T, Pejman A, Aidin H. 2014. Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) and stratification on germination traits of Crataegus pseudoheterophylla Pojark Seeds. Sci Hortic, 172: 61-67.
  • Genç S, Soysal Mİ. 2018. Parametric and nonparametric post hoc tests. BSJ Eng Sci, 1(1): 18-27.
  • Jain A, Singh A, Chaudhary A, Singh S, Singh HB. 2014. Modulation of nutritional and antioxidant potential of seeds and pericarp of pea pods treated with microbial consortium. Food Res Int, 64: 275-282.
  • Keswani C, Mishra S, Sarma BK, Singh SP, Singh HB. 2014. Unraveling the efficient applications of secondary metabolites of various Trichoderma spp. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 98: 533-544.
  • Lamichhane S, Thapa R, Thapa P, Ahamad K. 2021. Effect of different pre-sowing treatments on germination of Persian walnut (Juglans Regia L.) in Rukum (East) district, Nepal. Turk J Agri Food Sci Technol, 9(6): 1165-1171.
  • Li Y. 2002. Effect of microbial fertilizer and its exploitation. Biotic Resources, 24: 8-10
  • Liu D, Chen J, Yang H, Yousaf Z, Liu CY, Huang BS. 2022. Growth promotion effects of Bacillus subtilis on Bletilla striata seedlings. World J Tradit Chin Med, 8(2): 236-240.
  • Liu FC, Xing SJ, Ma HL, Du ZY, Ma BY. 2014. Effects of inoculating plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on the biological characteristics of walnut (Juglans regia) rhizosphere soil under drought condition. J Appl Ecol, 25(5): 1475- 1482.
  • Matilla A, Matilla-Vazquez M. 2008. Involvement of ethylene in seed physiology. Plant Sci, 175: 87-97.
  • Miljaković D, Marinković J, Tamindžić G, Đorđević V, Tintor B, Milošević D, Nikolić Z. 2022. Bio-priming of soybean with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bacillus megaterium: Strategy to improve seed germination and the initial seedling growth. Plants, 11(15): 1927.
  • Mortier E, Lamotte O, Martin-Laurent F, Recorbet G. 2020. Forty years of study on interactions between walnut tree and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: A review. Agron Sustain Dev, 40: 1-21.
  • Nicholson WL, Munakata N, Horneck G, Melosh HJ, Setlow P. 2000. Resistance of Bacillus endospores to extreme terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev, 64: 548–572.
  • Noumavo PA, Kochoni E, Didagbé YO, Adjanohoun A, Allagbé M, Sikirou R, Baba-Moussa L. 2013. Effect of different plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on maize seed germination and seedling development. American J Plant Sci, 4(5): 1013-1021
  • Parvin P, Khezri M, Tavasolian I, Hosseini H. 2015. The effect of gibberellic acid and chilling stratification on seed germination of eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra L.). J Nuts, 6(01): 67-76.
  • Pill WG, Collins CM, Goldberger B, Gregory N. 2009. Responses of non-primed or primed seeds of ‘Marketmore 76’cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) slurry coated with Trichoderma species to planting in growth media infested with Pythium aphanidermatum. Sci Hortic, 121: 54-62.
  • Raoufi A, Vahdati K, Karimi S, Roozban MR. 2020. Optimizing Seed Germination and Growth of Seedlings in Persian Walnut. J Nuts, 11(3): 185-193.
  • Raufi A, Vahdati K, Karimi S, Roozban MR. 2017. Optimizing early grafting of Persian walnut by evaluating different rootstocks, covering materials and grafting methods. J Nuts, 8(2): 97-106
  • Rostamikia Y, Kouchaksaraei MT, Asgharzadeh A, Rahmani A. 2016. The Effect of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Corylus avellana Seedlings. Ecopersia, 4(3): 1471-1479.
  • Shakeel S, Hassan DG. 2018. In vitro Bioefficacy of Rhizobacteria, Isolated from Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Rhizosphere in North-Western Himalayas, against Five Fungal Phytopathogens. Appl Biol Res, 20(3): 234-243.
  • Singh A, Sarma BK, Upadhyay RS, Singh HB. 2013. Compatible rhizosphere microbes mediated alleviation of biotic stress in chickpea through enhanced antioxidant and phenylpropanoid activities. Microbiol Res, 168: 33-40.
  • Singh V, Upadhyay RS, Sarma BK, Singh HB. 2016. Seed bio-priming with Trichoderma asperellum effectively modulate plant growth promotion in pea. Int J Agric Environ Biotechnol, 9(3): 361-365.
  • Vahdati K, Hoseini SH. 2004. Introducing an innovative procedure for large commercial seed lots stratification in Persian walnut. Acta Hortic, 705: 355–357.
  • Vujanovic V, St-Arnaud M, Barabe D, Thibeault G. 2000. Viability testing of orchid seed and promotion of coloration and germination. Ann Bot (Lond.), 86(1): 79-86.
  • Waller F, Achatz B, Baltruschat H, Fodor J, Becker K, Fischer M, Heier T, Hückelhoven R, Neumann C, von Wettstein D, Franken P, Kogel KH. 2005. The endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica reprograms barley to salt-stress tolerance, disease resistance, and higher yield. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 102: 13386-13391.
  • Wang WQ, Shi QL, Bai JJ, Liu P, Zhang YH. 2010. Effects of microbial fertilizers on the ecological characteristics of soil in the Chinese yam field and disease index. J Shanxi Agric Sci, 38: 37–39+56.
  • Woo SL, Ruocco M, Vinale F, Nigro M, Marra R, Lombardi N, Pascale A, Lanzuise S, Manganiello G, Lorito M. 2014. Trichoderma-based products and their widespread use in agriculture. Open Mycol J, 8: 71-126.
  • Yamaguchi S. 2008. Gibberellin metabolism and its regulation. Annu Rev Plant Biol, 59: 225-251.
  • Yılmaz ÇN. 2019. Arbüsküler mikorizal fungus (Glomus spp.) türlerinin ceviz (Juglans regia) çöğürlerinin büyüme ve morfolojisi üzerine etkisi. MSc Thesis, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Institute of Science, Kırşehir, Türkiye, pp: 7-18.
There are 33 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Agricultural Engineering (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Ebru Şirin 0000-0002-7416-6367

Yaşar Ertürk 0000-0003-2525-0260

Early Pub Date November 14, 2025
Publication Date November 15, 2025
Submission Date October 10, 2025
Acceptance Date November 13, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 6

Cite

APA Şirin, E., & Ertürk, Y. (2025). Effects of Beneficial Microorganisms and GA₃ Applications on Germination Parameters during Seed Germination Processes of Some Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Cultivars and Genotype. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, 8(6), 868-874. https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1800518

                                                  24890