Descriptive indicators and germination analysis of ‘Poseidon 625ʼ Helianthus annuus L. seeds in the Orenburg region

In formation of a sustainable agricultural system for each climatic zone, the priority goal is to increase yield of a number of commercial crops, such as sunflower, in terms of both quantity and quality. In this regard, there is a need to study sowing qualities of sunflower seeds in specific soil and climatic conditions of cultivation to optimize agricultural technology, plant protection, and increase yield. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of invariance of descriptive indicators and germination of ʻPoseidon 625ʼ Helianthus annuus L. seeds under the conditions of the Orenburg region. The experiments were carried out at the experimental site of the Botanical Garden of Orenburg State University, as well as in the laboratory of experimental botany of the Botanical Garden of Orenburg State University. 5 descriptive indicators were studied, the laboratory and soil germination of ʻPoseidon 625ʼ H. annuus seeds were evaluated in the Orenburg region. It was found that the most invariant indicators were seed length and 1000 seed weight ( Cv 9 and 2%, respectively). Seed weight of ʻPoseidon 625ʼ H. annuus is determined by seed length (at the level of statistical significance p < 0.5). Laboratory and field germination are consistently high (88 and 85%, respectively). Field germination is determined by the rate of germination of 75% of the seeds. It was established that increase in temperature of medium at early stages of ontogenesis significantly reduced elongation period of ʻPoseidon 625ʼ H. annuus seedlings (0.8; p-level = 0.1). The climatic factor “humidity” was not a statistically significant indicator having at least some influence on the analyzed parameters of germination of ʻPoseidon 625ʼ H. annuus seeds.