1. Introduction

Agriculture is an activity that contributes significantly to the socio-economic development of the population

[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse at the Belgorod State Agrarian University named after V. Gorin. The geographical coordinates of the site are 50°51'27.33" north latitude and 36°45'69.67" east longitude.

1.1. Seed treatments

The tomato seeds of the F1Cemko 30 variety were subjected to three treatments for 24 hours with a temperature of 24 degrees before being sown to a depth of 1cm. Organic humus tea (1 ml of organic humus tea in 1 liter of water), Nikfan (1 ml of Nikfan in 1 liter of water) and tap water were used solutions and untreated control treatment. Each treatment had 15 seeds with three repetitions. The pretreated and untreated seeds were germinated in the dark and irrigated every morning with tap water. The experiments were carried out over two years from April 2025 to May 2025 and from March 2026 to April 2025.

In total other treatments that are:

T0: control treatment

Tn: treatment with the Nikfan solution

Tb: treatment with bio humus

Tw: treatment with water

1.2. Germination parameters

Germination was monitored every day. The appearance of the radicle with a length of 3 mm was considered lifting. The number of germinated seeds per day was counted for 28 days.

Data processing

Three parameters were analyzed namely the germination rate (GR) and the germination speed (GS).

1. The germination rate (GR) was calculated according to the formula [7]. This rate makes it possible to determine the germination rate of the seeds. It is equal to the number of germinated seeds in relation to the total number of sown seeds. It is expressed as a percentage.

With N the number of seeds sown and n the number of seeds germinated.

2.

Germination speed used by [8] corresponds to:

With GS: germination speed, Gi: germination rate of the day i, Ji: number of days since sowing, GR: total germination rate.

1.3. Statistical analysis of data

All the data were entered in the Excel 2020 software then imported and processed using the PAST version 4.03 software. Two types of statistical analysis were performed: one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA (P˂0.05).

2. Results and discussion

The results obtained during the two years reveal a significant difference between the treatments (F=17.16, df=4.3, p=0.007 for the year 2025 and F=7.41, df= 4.3, p=0.03 for the year 2026). During the two years, we note that the seeds that stayed in a solution have a high germination rate compared to the control treatment in Figure 1. This would be explained by the phenomenon of dormancy lifting of the integumentary type explained by [8], [9], [10]. These authors in their scientific research have proven the effect of the dormancy of the seeds when immersed in different solution.

This pre-germination treatment has therefore activated the physiological and chemical processes at the seed level. We also note in Fig. 2 that as the germination speed increases, the germination rate decreases. This would indicate a degradation of the seed's reserves or cell damage observed when the germination rate increases.

The control treatments have a germination speed of about 8 days, on the other hand, the pre-germination treatments with bio humus and Nikfan tea have a germination speed of about 5 days, i.e. three days difference in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 also shows us that the last grain germinated at the level of the control treatment went up to the 10th day, yet already on the 6th day, 93% of the seeds at the level of the treatments based on bio humus and Nikfan germinated. On the plots pre-germinated in water, the last germinated grain went to 8 days.

This could be explained by the fact that Nikfan and bio humus tea being very rich in microorganism solutions, its microorganisms must have consumed the protective gelatin. Note that these two solutions also contain humic substances and growth regulators (in particular auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins) which stimulate embryonic enzymatic activity; and therefore reduces the dormancy time and a homogeneity of the seedlings. The work of [11] has demonstrated the role of the NIKFAN solution (liquid preparation based on endophytic mycorrhizal fungi isolated from the roots, seeds or pollen of various plants, living) in the rapid emergence of seeds [12].

Also observed the emergence of soybeans when they had pretreated the seeds with vermicompost juice. The pre-germination treatment with water gave a germination rate of about 6 days for the two years of experience, a difference of two days less than the control treatment with a germination rate of 88.89% in 2025 against 91.11% in 2026. This observed germination rate could be explained by the action of water on the seed coats. The work of [13] has also demonstrated the role of water in the softening of the integuments thus facilitating the exit of the radicles in tomatoes. Indeed [14], also confirms the role of water in softening the hard shell of seeds [15]. Have found a moisturizing effect of the tissues of tomato grains soaked in water which undoubtedly activates the enzymes responsible for the digestion of nutrient reserves. The work [16] demonstrated that prolonged pre-germination in water accelerates respiration, which has an effect on the activation of the Krebs cycle, glycolysis, protein synthesis as well as the hydrolysis of stored starch, thus leading to slower seed germination.

3. Conclusion

Finally, the pre-germination treatment with bio fertilizers (organic humus tea and Nikfan) and water improved the germination rate and the germination speed compared to untreated controls. The germination speed has increased from 5 days for grains pretreated with bio fertilizers to 6 days for grains treated with water compared to 8 days for untreated grains. The water and the bio fertilizers used acted as a biological catalyst, therefore inducing a rapid emergence from dormancy and a homogeneous emergence of seedlings. This inexpensive, simple and ecological method therefore makes it possible to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers while producing resistant, vigorous and homogeneous seedlings.

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