Search

In this study, the allelopathic potential of aqueous extracts of Codiaeum variegatum L. Rumph. Ex A. Juss. (40%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 2.5%, and 1.25%) on germination, early growth, and physiological activity of the selected plant recipient Lolium perenne L. was investigated. The obtained results confirmed the existence of allelopathic potential, which differed in its possibilities of adverse effects on the morphological and physiological characteristics of the recipient plant. The monitoring of the germination characteristics of the recipient plant showed that the tested extracts exhibited a concentration-dependent effect, i.e., stronger concentrations had a stronger inhibitory effect. A weaker negative effect on the growth of the selected species was observed, and it was shown that the root length of the seedling was usually under the stronger inhibitory effect of higher concentrations of extracts, in contrast to the length of the shoot, where all the applied extracts had a significant stimulatory effects. Moreover, allelochemicals of C. variegatum were shown to interfere with the synthesis of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of L. perenne seedlings, the values of which decreased with increasing concentration of test extracts.

The priming method is a technique that can greatly improve seed performance and provide high-quality seeds for successful production. In this study, the effect of hormopriming (GA3 and IAA), halopriming (MgSO4 and KNO3), osmopriming (AA, H2O2) and hydropriming (H2O) on the germination, as well as initial stages of growth and development of basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. 'Genovese') were investigated. The application of different priming methods not only improved the germination performances of basil, but also significantly influenced the growth of seedlings (root length, shoot length, fresh mass, and vigor index) with the best results achieved by priming with GA3 and H2O2. In addition, it has been found that the concentration of photosynthetic pigments and soluble protein content can be improved by the appropriate priming treatment. The most favorable effect on the examined parameters was achieved during treatment with H2O2.

In this paper, effect of halopriming on germination, initial growth and development of radish under salt stress conditions was investigated. The seeds were treated with different concentrations salts of calcium, potassium, and sodium chloride (CaCl2, KCl, NaCl, respectively) in the form of a standard germination method and priming method, which involves modification of the metabolic activity of seeds in the pregerminative phase. The obtained results showed that all applied salts had inhibitory effects on germination characteristics (GP, RG and U, except MTG) and development of radish seedlings (shoot and root elongation, weight and vigour). Halopriming contributed to the improvement of tolerance to stress conditions, because the obtained values of all germination and growth characteristics were significantly increased. The best effect being achieved by priming with CaCl2 for germination characteristics and vigour and with KCl for initial development.

Phenolic acids are a large class of compounds occur naturally in a variety of plants and exhibit a wide range of biological activities, but toxic effects have also been observed. This study was designed to assess genotoxic effect of two selected phenolic acids, gallic and ellagic, in somatic and germ cells of Drosophila melanogaster using the sex-linked recessive lethal (SLRL) test and comet assay in vivo. The obtained results revealed that tested phenolic acids did not induce genotoxic effect and therefore have a safety margin for therapeutic use.