Effects of Genotype, Seed Age and KNO3 on Germination of Radicchio (Cichorium intybus L.) and Endive (Cichorium endivia L.) Seed

After purchasing seed it often happens that all the seed is not used during one season, but they are stored for a couple of years. The aim of this study was to examine whether germination of radicchio and endive is still high enough after longer storage. We also wanted to define seed vigor in relation to the year of production and variety, and whether pretreatment with KNO3 could improve germination of older seed of radicchio and endive.The seed of three varieties of radicchio (‘Pallarossa’, ‘Verona’ and ‘Pandizucchero’) and three varieties of endive (‘Dje ja glava’, ‘Pankalierka’ and ‘Escariol uta’), from five seasons of certification (06/07, 07/08 08/09, 09/10 and 10/11) was tested.The following seed traits were analyzed: 1000 seed weight, moisture, germination rate, standard germination test, seed electrical conductivity, and the amount of absorbed water per gram of seed for 24 hours. Seed was germinated in two soaking treatments: in tap water with cooling pre-treatment, and KNO3. Based on the results, it was concluded that treatment with KNO3 significantly increases the standard germination of radicchio, as compared with water, and does not improve the germination of endive seed, but on the contrary, it has a negative effect. In both plant species, conductivity does not increase with seed age, because the oldest seed did not show the highest EC.In order to fully assess the impact of aging on seed vigor in tested plant species it is necessary to conduct further research.