Biotesting as a Method for Assessing the Stimulating Effect of Humic Compounds on Higher Plantsbiotesting as a Method for Assessing the Stimulating Effect of Humic Compounds on Higher Plants

Abstract

When improving agricultural technologies, considerable attention should be paid to the use of organic fertilizers, which involves the use of humic and fulvic acids. This will reduce the use of mineral fertilizers and increase the yield of agricultural products, as well as grow environmentally friendly products. Justification of the use of organic fertilizers to stimulate plant growth requires a preliminary study of their action under laboratory conditions. The article analyzes the wide application of biotesting procedures based on the reactions of living organisms, using plant test-objects. The availability of a wide range of plants allows their use for testing various factors, including the analysis of the stimulating effect of substances on higher plants. The purpose of the study was to study the effect of the organic fertilizer «Grееnat» on the initial growth processes of higher plants in the laboratory by biotesting. The methodology of the study was to apply the biotesting method using higher plants widely used in agriculture, namely barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), soybeans (Glycine max L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Іt is established that the declared organic fertilizer «Greenat» contains: humic acids (67,68 g/dm3), fulvic acids (24,37 g/dm3) and organic substances (53,39%). The stimulating effect of the studied fertilizer on the initial processes of growth and formation of the root system of representatives of the group of cereals – barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was revealed. Stimulating effect of organic fertilizer is also established for the initial growth processes of soybeans by estimating the length of shoots (increase by 38%) and for the initial growth processes of corn by estimating root length (increase by 22%). Root length of cucumber and tomato increased by 23 and 21% respectively, indicating the stimulating effect of the organic fertilizer «Greenаt» in the treatment of seeds of vegetable crops. The results of the research indicate the effectiveness of using the organic fertilizer «Grееnat» at the stage of seed treatment to stimulate the energy of germination and development of the root system of plants.