Chitosan nanoparticles improve germination in non-stratified peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) seeds

Peach and nectarine (Prunus persica L.) seeds require stratification to break dormancy and germinate.
In recent times, chitosan preparations have begun to be used to increase germination in seeds of different species.
However, seed coat plays a controversial role in peach seed germination.
Thus, the effects of chitosan and seed coat were tested on the in vitro germination of peach and nectarine.
Seeds from peach cultivar ‘Alisio 20’ and nectarine cultivar ‘Bora 20’ were cultured with and without seed coat in media consisting of Woody Plant Medium supplemented with 15 g L^‑1 sucrose.
Half of the seeds were primed in a solution of chitosan nanoparticles prior to culture.
Seeds were then cultured in a climate chamber, and germination percentages were recorded.
Results suggest that chitosan nanoparticles improved germination both in peach and nectarine seeds.
However, the seed coat seems to block the effect of chitosan in peach seeds.
Therefore, chitosan could be used to break dormancy if the seed coat is removed, which would allow the former to reach the seed.

International Symposium on Biotechnological Tools in Horticulture

J.E. Cos-Terrer, A.A. Lozano-Pérez, M.C. Ballesteros, M. Romero-Muñoz, M. Quílez-Simón, F.J. Vidal-Sánchez, J.M. Gambín, J.J. Pérez-Cuadrado, C. López-Sierra, M. Pérez-Jiménez

tissue culture, priming, ovule culture, chilling, nectarine

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2026.1454.22