Effect of Ozone on Sprouting of Potato and Sugarcane Seeds: A Sustainable Alternative of Disinfection

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of ozone on sprouting of potato and sugarcane seeds, as well as the ozone efficacy on soft-rot control of seed potatoes and to compare ozone application with conventional treatments in cane seeds. Seed potatoes were treated applying gaseous ozone at 100, 300 and 600 mg m⁻³ for 45 min before storage. Sugarcane seeds were immersed in water containing ozone (1.5 to 2.0 mg L⁻¹) up to 30 min before planting. Ozone did not prevent sprouting of seed potatoes and weight losses tended to decrease. The incidence and severity of soft rot were reduced. Sprouting and viability of cane seeds were not affected with ozone application and conventional treatments were less effective. Ozone treatment is a potential alternative, but an integrated analysis of seed handling of each crop is required.

KEYWORDS:

• Ozone
• Seeds
• Seed potatoes
• Sugarcane seed
• Sprouting
• Disinfection

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC). The authors also thank the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA) and the National Institute of Sugar Cane Research (INICA) for the collaboration.