Growth regulators enhance starch depletion in aged triticale (Triticosecale Wittmack) seeds

Seeds deteriorate rapidly and lose viability under poor storage conditions. This study investigated the potential of priming with various growth regulators to invigorate artificially aged triticale seeds. A factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in 2023. Treatments included three levels of seed aging (95%, 85%, and 75%) and six priming methods (control, distilled water, cytokinin, spermidine, salicylic acid, and auxin). Aging significantly reduced germination percentage, seedling dry weight, vigor index, starch reserve mobility, and amylase activity. However, priming mitigated these effects and improved germination by 36.9%. Notably, auxin priming at the lowest seed vigor level (75%) increased starch reserve mobility and enhanced amylase activity, seedling dry weight, and seedling vigor index by 9.2, 1.5, and 1.8 times, respectively, compared to the unprimed control. While previous studies have focused primarily on the role of gibberellic acid, this study highlights the effectiveness of auxin in restoring vigor and promoting seedling development in aged triticale seeds.