Effect of method of seed treatment with plant derived smoke solutions on germination and seedling growth of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.)

This study highlights the effects of plant derived smoke on seed germination and seedling growth of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.). Aqueous smoke extract in different concentrations (0, 1:250, 1:100, 1:10 and 1:5) and two seed treatment methods, namely direct exposure of seeds to smoke solutions for 1 h, and sowing the seeds in a perlite, coco peat mixture (1:1 v/v) saturated with smoke solutions, were applied to milk thistle seeds. Smoke saturated perlite, coco peat mixture significantly increased the germination and seedling growth parameters of milk thistle including germination percentage, germination speed, seedling length, and vigour index compared to direct treatment of seeds. In the direct treatment method, only a low concentration of aqueous smoke extract (1:250) was comparable with perlite, coco peat mixture and significantly promoted all of the mentioned traits.