The effect of pre-sowing seed treatment on seedlings growth rate and their excretory activity

Abstract

The importance of studying pre-sowing seed treatment lies in the possibility of regulating the rate of seed germination, the intensity of their growth and obtaining root exudates in biotechnology. The effect of three pre-sowing treatment methods was examined (control – washing with running water; the first method – washing with 0.05% sodium permanganate solution; the second method – 30 se­conds in 70% ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) and 30 minutes in 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); the third method – 5 minutes in 70% C2H5OH and 40 minutes in 5% NaOCl) on the growth rate, germination rate, excretion rate of seeds of wheat and peas and composition (of protein, carbohydrate, amino acid content) of root exudates from the first to the third day of growth in order to obtain root exudates. It was revealed that the same pre-sowing treatment of wheat and pea seeds has a different effect on the rate and variability of seedling growth from the first to the third day, as well as on the qualitative and quantitative composition of root exudates. It was shown that pre-sowing treatment of wheat and pea seeds for 5 minutes with 70% ethanol followed by treatment with sodium hypochlorite (a “hard” treatment method) accelerates seedling growth and seed germination. This method of treatment reduces the intensity of excretion of root exudates and composition in wheat, but it increases the intensity of excretion in peas. The discovered effects can be explained by hormesis. Additionally, the third method of pre-sowing seed treatment can be used in root technologies for obtaining root exudates.

Pre-sowing stimulation of cereal seeds in high voltage electric field

“…Pre-sowing stimulation of seeds of various agricultural crops can be considered as a specific approach to the implementation of the indicated technologies. Now it is proved by numerous researches and practical implementation the possibility to treat seeds before their introduction into the soil in the electric field of direct and alternating current [2]; in the magnetic field [3]; in the field of corona discharge [4]; under the influence of electric pulses [5] and with the passage of electric current [6]; irradiation with ultraviolet, infrared, monochromatic and coherent radiation [7].…”