Effects of Different Copper II Chloride (CuCl2) Concentrations on Seed Germination and Seedling Development of some CarthamustinctoriusL. (Compositae) Varieties

Abstract

Biodiesel refers to fuels which are used for diesel motors and was reproduced from renewable biological materials. The most engrossing problem of biodiesel is that large amounts of vegetable oil should be directed to production of this kind of fuel. Safflower (Carthamustinctorius) is the most concerned one among these aforementioned plant derived products. The aim of this study was observing the effects of CuCl₂ concentrations on seed germination and seedling development of Carthamustinctorius varieties which are named as Remzibey and Dinçer.In this study, seeds belonging to two varieties of Carthamustinctorius L. (Compositae) grown for biodiesel production, RemziBey and Dinçer, were used as research material. The seeds were germinated in seedbeds to were formed of Petri dishes containing double layer filter papers and exposed to 16 hours light/8 hours dark photoperiod, 25±1˚C, repetitions of three (100 seeds per dish x 3), control group consisting of distilled water and different CuCl₂ concentrations (20, 60, 150 ppm). After root and stem development for 10 days both root and stem length were measured by digital caliper.As a result, it was observed that seed germination of both of Remzibey and Dinçer varieties belonging to Carthamustinctorius were decreased for 60 and 150 ppm CuCl₂ concentrations. Root lengths of seedlings were decreasing after 60 ppm CuCl₂ applications for both of varieties. The maximum stem length was observed at control group (1,83±0,02 cm) for Dinçer variety; although at 60 ppm application for Remzibey variety was the highest stem length with 1,35 cm. The dry root weigth of Dinçer seedlings were very low; besides of this, for Remzibey variety, dry root weighs were getting lower after 20 ppm applications. For Dinçer and Remzibey varieties, wet stem weighs were getting lower after 20 ppm applications.