Search for biologically active substances of natural origin based on low-polar conifer extracts

Abstract

In recent years, research interest in the application of biologically active substances as a means of increasing the yield and stability of agricultural plants has been increasing. The main advantages of natural substances, which determines the prospects of their application in contemporary agricultural technologies, are seen in terms of their environmental safety and multifunctionality of action, including the ability to reduce various environmental stresses on plants. For both economic and ecological reasons, one of the main sources of biologically active substances consists of coniferous trees. Thus, an important task is presented in the search for new compounds from coniferous trees having growth-regulating and stress-protective properties as applied to various plants of commercial interest. In order to solve this problem, the growth-modulating and anti-stress biological activity of eight extracts containing compounds from needles and branches of three low-polar pine species (Pinus gen.) was tested using a model based on the Arabidopsis (thale cress) root and leaf rosette growth indicator. The obtained data confirmed the possibility of using the studied plant model for identifying the biological activity of low-polar metabolite extracts. Growth inhibition of the Arabidopsis main root, lateral roots and leaf rosettes by extracts and fractions of low-polar substances of the Pinus coniferous trees was demonstrated. The most significant growth inhibition of the main root was characteristic of the P. koraiensis (NIOC-28/1) needle hexane extract, while the neutral substances of the P. sibirica (NIOC-32/1) needle hexane extract suppressed the growth of both the main and accessory roots. The demonstrated allelopathic growth inhibition for Arabidopsis roots and leaf rosettes caused by extracts and fractions of low-polar substances of the Pinus coniferous trees shows the relevance of further study into the most active extracts for their possible application as herbicides. The absence of a positive effect for the studied extracts on the growth stability of the Arabidopsis root to heat shock was established.