The influence of germination temperature and ultra-low doses of benzotriazole on morpho-physiological parameters of onions of different species in model experiments

Abstract

The adaptation of plants is manifested in the preservation of their physiological functions when exposed to various extreme environmental factors. In model experiments, we examined the influence of the combined action of such factors as alcohol solutions of benzotriazole in low concentrations (0,00001; 0,0001; 0,001 mg/ml) and contrasting positive temperatures (+12°C and +22°C) on germinating ability and growth processes of three species of onions ( Allium sulphur , Allium fistulosum and Allium schoenoprasum ) differing in various adaptive capabilities. It was found that, regardless of the germination temperature, with an increase in the concentration of benzotriazole solutions in a selected concentration range, stimulation of seed germination is observed for all studied species compared to the control. Benzotriazole had the maximum stimulating effect at a concentration of 0,001 mg/ml when germinating seeds at a temperature of +12°C. The effect on growth processes was determined by the average length of the roots of onions on the fifth day of growth. It was found that the length of the roots of onions of all studied species when germinating in benzotriazole solutions at a temperature of +12°C does not significantly differ from that in the control. When germinating seeds at +22°C, the root length of only two species ( Allium cepa , Allium fistulosum ) was higher than in the control. Possible mechanisms of the observed phenomenon are discussed.