Г. В. Лущенко The study presents the results of investigating the effect of seed warming on two alfalfa varieties – Verko and Relax. Germination rate and germination energy were evaluated. The thermal factor had an equally beneficial effect on both varieties. The best results were observed for yellow-coloured seeds treated at 40°C for three days. This variant exceeded the control in germination energy by 44%. In the experiment comparing seed warming in a thermostat versus warming using solar radiation, the latter variant showed a poorer effect. The germination rate increased only slightly due to insufficient warming duration. The highest effect on seed germination was achieved with thermostat warming at 40°C for five days. As a result, germination increased by 30%. When studying the effect of thermal treatment on seeds collected from alfalfa plants of different ages, it was found that seeds from first-year plants responded best to thermal treatment, showing a 47% increase in germination rate. To investigate the duration of the warming effect for subsequent seed storage, seeds from different sowing and harvesting periods were used. After thermal treatment and initial germination testing, the seeds were stored in a barn for two years. Their germination was checked one year after storage and then again after the second year. The results showed that yellow seeds demonstrated an increase in germination up to 98%, while brown seeds, in contrast, showed a 54% decrease in germination compared to the control.
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