Seawater improves celery seed germination – study

Seawater can improve the germination of celery seed.

This was found in a study by Gemma Rose Mangapan, an agriculture graduate of the Benguet State University (BSU) in La Trinidad town.

In her research titled "Efficacy of Various Inorganic Salt-based Preserving Treatments on the Germination and Emergence Performance of Celery Seeds," Mangapan compared the effects of different inorganic salts and established the most affective treatment on the germination and emergence performance of celery seeds.

Celery seeds are known to germinate slowly. The seeds are very small and must be established first in seed beds before transplanting.

In the laboratory test, seawater considerably reduced time to 10 percent germination over the other priming agents, Mangapan noted, as reported by Christine Grace Sidehogan of the BSU organ Mountain Collegian.

Greenhouse test showed that seawater markedly reduced emergence time by 10 percent over those treated with the other agents. No significant differences were noted among the other agents.

"The median emergence time was substantially speeded up by seawater treatment," reported Mangapan.

Seawater also improved seedling uniformity but it is similar with those of the other agents except iodised salt and the dry seed control. Seawater likewise increased dry weight over the other priming agents.

Earlier studies had shown that seawater increased germination and emergence percentage of carrot, asparagus, and parsley seeds.

Based on her study’s results, Mangapan recommended the use of seawater as a priming agent for celery seed germination because it is free, natural, and has no harmful effects on the user and environment. – Rudy A. Fernandez