Effect of Ultrasound on Sunflower Seeds Helianthus Annuus L. Planted on Organic Compound and Clay Substrate

The species Helianthus annuus L., (sunflower) have a great impact on the world economy, moving billions. They can be adapted to different conditions in relation to other botanical species cultivated in the country. The objective of the work was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound as a treatment for germination and increase in the emergence performance of sunflower seeds. Ultrasound was applied in seven groups with 75 seeds each except CG for 1 min in groups T1, T2 and T3 with a frequency of 1 MHz and intensity of 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5 W·cm−2 respectively. Groups T4, T5 and T6 received a 3-MHz frequency ultrasound at the same intensities and time. After application, the seeds were washed in solution for 10 min for disinfection and then washed in distilled water for the same period. They were immersed in distilled water with 2.5 times its weight for 24 h. They were sown one day after ultrasound application, conditioned in plastic bags with organic compost and clay, in a 1:1 ratio. Regarding germination, all treatments presented lower indexes than CG, except T5 in AGT. In the emergency, T1 was the best treatment for %E and ESI, while in AET, T2 presented the best value. The T4 treatment was the worst among all for 99% of the analyzed variables, except for AET. New experiments with ultrasound at different doses and with a greater number of seeds per treatment, to minimize the weight of the physiological effects on the uniform development of the seedlings.