Influence of ultraviolet radiation on germination, sprouting and growth processes of wheat

Abstract

One of the main task of the agro-industrial complex is to increase quantity and quality of crop production.  Use of optical radiation that is preliminary treatment of seeds by ultraviolet radiation is of great interest to growth stimulation and increasing resistance of plants to external factors and improving productivity of crops.

Scientists and specialists of the agro-industrial complex investigating influence of ultraviolet radiation on seed sowing characteristics and  biometric indices of plants of different crops highlight that the effect of ultraviolet radiation is selective and there is its own optimal amount of absorbed energy for seeds of each varity. The necessity for research is due to the uncertainty of the effect of UV radiation on the most crops, in particular wheat seeds.

 Presowing effect of ultraviolet radiation of winter wheat seeds on sowing characteristics (sprouting energy, germination and development) has been investigated in the work. The first record of seedlings (sprouting energy) was carried out in 4 days and the percentage of germination in 8 days.

 Ultraviolet bulbs of low pressure emitting in the C area were used as UV radiation sources. Seed of wheat varieties Podolianka, Taras, Astra, and Yuzhanka were radiated with UV doses in the range from 50 J/m² to 1000 J/m². As a result of experi-mental studies it has been established that the optimal UV doses of ultraviolet radiation in the C area for these wheat varieties, in which the germination and sprouting energy have a maximum value, are in the range of 400–600 J/m².

Sprouting energy has increased by 7–12 % and germination has increased by 9–15 % as a result of UV radiation of wheat samples at doses of
500 J/m². The length of roots and the aboveground part was measured in order to determine percentage of wheat seeds germination.  The length of roots has increased by 11–40 % and the length of above-ground part has increased by 13–25 %.

Presowing processing of wheat seeds by UV radiation can be very useful for growing plants without growth stimulants application.