SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Black Sea Journal of Agriculture / 2025 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 6

The Role of Seed Size on Seed Water Absorption and Germination of the Common Bean

Murat Tunç(HARRAN UNIVERSITY)0009-0008-8406-4824
Fatma Başdemir(HARRAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-1086-5628
Pages
759–765
Publication Date
2025-11-15
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that seed size is a key determinant of imbibition behavior, metabolic activation, and early morpho-physiological establishment.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Seed size is a fundamental characteristic determining germination success and early seedling development in legumes.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Morphometric analyses revealed significant differences (P<0.01) in seed length, width, and thickness among the size groups.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that seed size is a key determinant of imbibition behavior, metabolic activation, and early morpho-physiological establishment.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Seed size · Phaseolus vulgaris · Water uptake

Abstract

Seed size is a fundamental characteristic determining germination success and early seedling development in legumes. However, its influence on water uptake kinetics and physiological responses during early development in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has not been sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of four seed size categories (small, medium, large, and extra-large) on seed hydration dynamics, moisture content, germination behavior, and root development under controlled conditions. Morphometric analyses revealed significant differences (P<0.01) in seed length, width, and thickness among the size groups. Kinetic measurements showed a strong positive correlation between seed size and total water uptake (R²=0.853), but a negative correlation with moisture content (R²=0.856). Indicating a dilution effect due to the higher dry matter proportion in larger seeds. Extra-large seeds exhibited the highest fresh and dry weights and significantly developed more secondary roots. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated that large and extra-large seeds clustered with traits associated with germination vigor. Regression analyses and visual observations confirmed that larger seeds displayed more homogeneous radicle emergence and faster seedling development. The findings indicate that seed size is a key determinant of imbibition behavior, metabolic activation, and early morpho-physiological establishment. Therefore, selecting seeds of optimal size during the production process may be considered an effective strategy to improve germination uniformity and emergence success with larger seeds preferred for their high water absorption capacity and enhanced vigor.

Özet

Seed size is a fundamental characteristic determining germination success and early seedling development in legumes. However, its influence on water uptake kinetics and physiological responses during early development in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has not been sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of four seed size categories (small, medium, large, and extra-large) on seed hydration dynamics, moisture content, germination behavior, and root development under controlled conditions. Morphometric analyses revealed significant differences (P<0.01) in seed length, width, and thickness among the size groups. Kinetic measurements showed a strong positive correlation between seed size and total water uptake (R²=0.853), but a negative correlation with moisture content (R²=0.856). Indicating a dilution effect due to the higher dry matter proportion in larger seeds. Extra-large seeds exhibited the highest fresh and dry weights and significantly developed more secondary roots. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated that large and extra-large seeds clustered with traits associated with germination vigor. Regression analyses and visual observations confirmed that larger seeds displayed more homogeneous radicle emergence and faster seedling development. The findings indicate that seed size is a key determinant of imbibition behavior, metabolic activation, and early morpho-physiological establishment. Therefore, selecting seeds of optimal size during the production process may be considered an effective strategy to improve germination uniformity and emergence success with larger seeds preferred for their high water absorption capacity and enhanced vigor.

🔖

Cite This Article

Tunç, M., Başdemir, F. (2025). The Role of Seed Size on Seed Water Absorption and Germination of the Common Bean. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 6, 759–765. https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1740401

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (34)

  1. Añazco C, Ojeda PG, Guerrero-Wyss M. 2023. Common beans as a source of amino acids and cofactors for collagen biosynthesis. Nutrients, 15(21): 4561.
  2. Bewley JD, Black M. 1994. Seeds and Germination. In: Bewley JD, Black M, editors. Seeds. Physiology of Development, Germination and Dormancy; Springer, New York, NY, US, pp: 337-420.
  3. Broughton WJ, Hernandez G, Blair M, Beebe S, Gepts P, Vanderleyden J. 2003. Beans (Phaseolus spp.)–model food legumes. Plant-Soil, 252: 55-128.
  4. De Ron AM, Rodiño AP, Santalla M, González AM, Lema MJ, Martín I, Kigel J. 2016. Seedling emergence and phenotypic response of common bean germplasm to different temperatures under controlled conditions and in open field. Front Plant Sci, 7: 1087.
  5. Dobosz R, Krawczyk R. 2024. Effect of legume (Fabaceae Lindl.) seeds on selected life activities in the J2 stage of Meloidogyne hapla. Plant Prot Sci, 60(2): 193-206.
  6. Dong Q, Saneoka H. 2020. Physiological characteristics, phytase activity, and mineral bioavailability of a low-phytate soybean line during germination. Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 75: 383-389.
  7. dos Santos Carbonari LT, Júnior CZJ, Cerutti PH, de Melo RC, Guidolin AF, Coimbra JLM. 2025. Genetic aspects of physiological quality traits in common bean seeds. Afr J Agric Res, 21: 123-130.
  8. Fenner M, Thompson K. 2005. The ecology of seeds. Cambridge Univ Press, New York, UK, pp: 110-131.
  9. Gholami A, Sharafi S, Sharafi A, Ghasemi S. 2009. Germination of different seed size of pinto bean cultivars as affected by salinity and drought stress. J Food Agric Environ, 7(2): 555-558.
  10. Islam SS, Adhikary S, Mostafa M, Hossain MM. 2024. Vegetable beans: comprehensive insights into diversity, production, nutritional benefits, sustainable cultivation and future prospects. J Biol Sci, 24: 477-494.
  11. Kahraman ND, Topal A. 2024. Differences in physiological indicators of seed germination in durum wheat cultivars subjected to salinity stress. MKU J Agric Sci, 29(1): 148-157.
  12. Karimi MR, Sabokdast M, Korang Beheshti H, Abbasi AR, Bihamta MR. 2025. Seed priming with salicylic acid enhances salt stress tolerance by boosting antioxidant defense in Phaseolus vulgaris genotypes. BMC Plant Biol, 25(1): 489.
  13. Koornneef M, Bentsink L, Hilhorst H. 2002. Seed dormancy and germination. Curr Opin Plant Biol, 5(1): 33-36.
  14. Lechowska K, Kubala S, Wojtyla Ł, Nowaczyk G, Quinet M, Lutts S, Garnczarska M. 2019. New insight on water status in germinating Brassica napus seeds in relation to priming-improved germination. Int J Mol Sci, 20(3): 540.
  15. Lima ER, Santiago AS, Araújo AP, Teixeira MG. 2005. Effects of the size of sown seed on growth and yield of common bean cultivars of different seed sizes. Braz J Plant Physiol, 17: 273-281.
  16. Mali PS, Kumar P. 2025. Antinutritional, functional, thermal, rheological properties, and in vitro digestibility of soaked and germinated black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) flours. J Food Meas Charact, 19(3): 1812-1827.
  17. Mohsenin NN. 2020. Physical properties of plant and animal materials, Taylor and Francis, New York, pp: 51-86.
  18. Moles AT, Westoby M. 2004. Seedling survival and seed size: a synthesis of the literature. J Ecol, 92(3): 372-383.
  19. Nonogaki H. 2006. Seed germination—the biochemical and molecular mechanisms. Breed Sci, 56(2): 93-105.
  20. Nosser MA, Behnan EY. 2011. Effect of seed size and sowing dates on growth and yield of green and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L). Egypt J Agric Res, 89(3): 1053-1070.
  21. OECD. 2016. Working group (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Chapter 4. In Safety Assessment of Transgenic Organisms in the Environment; OECD Publishing: Paris, France, 6: 187-210.
  22. Okonwu K, Ifenuaguta AU, Ogazie CA, Agogbua JU. 2022. Legume seed sizes and their consequential growth performance. Res J Seed Sci, 15(1): 1-8.
  23. Pacheco FC, Cunha JS, Andressa I, dos Santos FR, Pacheco AFC, Nalon GA, Leite Júnior BRDC. 2025. Ultrasound-Assisted Intermittent Hydration of Pumpkin Seeds: Improving the Water Uptake, Germination, and Quality of a Clean Label Ingredient. Food and Bioproc Tech, 18(1): 618-632.
  24. Padilha MS, Coelho CMM, Sommer ÂS. 2022. Seed vigor, genotype and proline in common bean seedling formation under drought and saline stress. Revista Ciência Agronômica, 53: e20228350.
  25. Rivera Aguilar VM, Pedraza-Chaverri J, Arias-Chávez DJ, Jaimez R, Flores-Soto E, Garduño IE, Susunaga Notario ADC. 2025. Evaluation of the Effect of Light Color on Albumins and Globulins Content During Bean Germination. Foods, 14(10): 1750.
  26. Rostamirad S, Duodu KG, Meyer JP, Sharifpur M. 2025. Influence of ultrasonication during soaking on water absorption and Softness characteristics in the cooking process of cowpea. Ultrason Sonochem, 112: 107208.
  27. Shaukat SS, Sıddıquı ZS, Aziz S. 1999. Seed size variation and its effects on germination. Pak J Bot, 31(2): 253-263.
  28. Souza FHD, Marcos-Filho J. 2001. The seed coat as a modulator of seed-environment relationships in Fabaceae. Rev Bras Bot, 24: 365–375.
  29. Upretee P, Bandara MS, Tanino KK. 2024. The role of seed characteristics on water uptake preceding germination. Seeds, 3(4): 559-574.
  30. Vidak M, Lazarević B, Javornik T, Šatović Z, Carović-Stanko K. 2022. Seed water absorption, germination, emergence and seedling phenotypic characterization of the common bean landraces differing in seed size and color. Seeds, 1(4): 324-339.
  31. Vleeshouwers LM, Kropff MJ. 2000. Modelling field emergence patterns in arable weeds. New Phytologist, 148(3): 445-457.
  32. Wang X, Sun J, Yi Z, Dong S. 2025. Effects of seed size on soybean performance: germination, growth, stress resistance, photosynthesis, and yield. BMC Plant Biol, 25(1): 219.
  33. Wu Y, Shin WS. 2025. Germination-Induced Changes in the Nutritional, Bioactive, and Digestive Properties of Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.). Foods, 14(12): 2123.
  34. Zhang Y, Bhat JA, Zhang Y, Yang S. 2024. Understanding the molecular regulatory networks of seed size in soybean. Int J Mol Sci, 25(3): 1441.