Effect of exopolysaccharide Streptococcus thermophilus on stress resistance of sorghum

Abstract

One of the promising areas of fundamental and applied research is the study of plant stress resistance using natural and synthetic physiologically active substances. An increase in the germination capacity of plant seeds and the rate of their germination is achieved by treatment before sowing with aqueous solutions of biostimulants, which leads to the activation of biochemical processes, increases the energy of germination, and improves seed germination in conditions of increased soil salinity. The effect of the bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS) of Streptococcus thermophilus in the form of a film coating on the stress resistance of sorghum (RSK Partizan, Volzhskoe 44, Zhemchug and RSK Onyx) was studied, the seedlings and roots of treated seeds were compared against seeds without treatment. A positive effect of the exopolysaccharide film was found at the early stages of plant development under conditions of an increased salt content in the soil (2% and 4%), which was expressed in an increase in the length of seedlings and roots.