Evaluation of the effects of homeopathic medicines on the seed germination of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica

Abstract

Background: Aiming to increase the productivity and achieve production levels that meet the market demands, agriculture makes use of pesticides and fertilizers. Fertilizers are natural or artificial substances that contain chemical elements and physical proprieties that enhance plant growth and productivity [1]. However, the addition of fertilizers has generated environmental impacts that jeopardize the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems in the medium and long term [2]. Fertilizers are associated with eutrophication of rivers and lakes [2], soil erosion [3], among others. The organic agriculture is an alternative for the use of additives, which aims to enhance the efficient use of nonrenewable natural resources, and utilization of renewable natural resources and biological processes aligned to biodiversity, the environment, economic development and quality of human life [4]. The use of homeopathy for the cultivation of plants is into the organic agriculture. Homeopathic medicines can lead to greater plant growth, the elimination of pests and soil enrichment, without presenting environmental impacts, or damage to the consumer or for the handler. Aim: The objective of this study is to find on the homeopathic medicine an alternative method for the use of fertilizers in order to increase the germination of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica. Methodology: Seeds of broccoli will be treated with homeopathic medicines for phosphorus and gibberelic acid in the following method and scale 6cH, 30cH and 200cH, according with the 3rd edition of the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. These seeds will be cultured on Petri dishes in a MS medium. The dilution and the agitation water on the same high dilutions above, are used as a growth control, in the same way, gibberelic acid, a hormone, widely used commercially as a fertilizer, is also used as control. The applications will be made six days a week. It will be conducted a seedlings count since the first days of germination and also will be measured the germination velocity and the hypocotyl and primary roots lengths. Results: A quickly, regular and more complete germination is expected when used homeopathic drugs. Rather than use substances harmful to human health, such as fertilizers but gaining it´s same efficiency with a less aggressive results for the plant and for who will eat it or work with agriculture [5-8].
 
 Support: authors declare that this study received no funding
 
 Conflict of interest: authors declare there is no conflict of interest
 
 Correspondente author: Marina das Neves Gomes, marina.gomes@ifrj.edu.br
 
 REFERENCE
 
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