Dynamics of the Ocimum basilicum L. Germination under Seed Priming Assessed by an Updated BBCH Scale

Abstract

Germination of the medicinal and aromatic plant basil raises interesting questions due to its no seed periodicity and dormancy demand, and the seed priming could help to assure the permanent needs for this herb. The study aimed to provide an adapted BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt Bundessortenamt and CHemical industry) scale for the germination secondary stages of sweet basil Ocimum basilicum L. (var. MVSt). A standardized germination test was performed with hydropriming, electric field, and magnetic field as priming methods to assess the changes in the secondary stages of germination. The time range for each basil secondary stage was recorded and added to the adapted BBCH, to highlight the daily secondary stage changes. All the seed priming methods increased the germination capacity with 2–3% compared with the control, with the highest value for electropriming. The seed priming methods studied improved the germination and changed the pattern of secondary stages in the BBCH scale. The germination energy was set to more than 90% in all primed seeds, with a maximum of 91.75% in the magnetic field. The time needed for 50% germination of seeds was set to 6.5 days and 90% germinated seeds were recorded after 11.7 days. The 09a BBCH lasted for 9 days in control and hydropriming, 10 days in electric field conditions and 7 days for magnetoprimed seeds.