Seed Quality of Winter Wheat Depending on Pre-Sowing Treatment with Growth Stimulators

Abstract

Purpose. To determine the effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with growth stimulators on the seed quality of the winter wheat cultivar Komertsiyna and to identify the optimal conditions for enhancing germination energy, laboratory, and field germination. Methods. The study was conducted in 2024–2025 at the experimental field of the Educational and Scientific Center of Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University and in the Department of Crop Production laboratory. The following preparations were used: Polimixobacterin (1 L/t), Maksim (1.5 L/t), Nitrogumat Euro (1 kg/t), and Aminofit (1 L/t). Germination energy, laboratory and field germination, morphometric characteristics of seedlings, and the mass of 100 seedlings and roots were evaluated. Statistical processing was performed as M ± SD with comparison of treatments using ANOVA ( p < 0.05). Results. Pre-sowing treatment with growth stimulators significantly outperformed the control across all parameters. Germination energy increased from 82.5 % in the control to 94.8 % with Nitrogumat Euro, while laboratory germination increased from 84.2 % to 97.9 %. Maksim demonstrated similar improvements, combining regulatory and fungicidal effects. Treated seeds produced uniform and vigorous seedlings; Nitrogumat Euro-treated seedlings developed 4–5 primary roots, greater root and shoot mass, and root length exceeding the control by 2.1–2.4 cm. Under field conditions, germination energy reached 89.7 %, field germination 92.7 %, and the mass of 100 seedlings and roots was substantially higher than in the control. The stimulatory effects were particularly pronounced during the drought conditions of 2025, highlighting the role of these treatments under stress. Conclusions. Nitrogumat Euro and Maksim provided the highest efficiency of pre-sowing treatment, enhancing germination energy, laboratory and field germination, and promoting the formation of a robust root system and uniform seedlings. These results confirm the feasibility of using these preparations to improve potential yield and the stability of winter wheat crops.