In: Phyton, 52 Fasc. 2 (2012), S. 219 - 226, with 1 figure

Key words: Germination, seed, sodium nitroprusside, crops, weeds.

Summary

Gniazdowska A., Babanczyk T. & Krasuska U. 2012. Nitric oxide as germination controlling factor in seeds of various plant species. – Phyton (Horn, Austria) 52 (2): 219–226, with 1 figure.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an inorganic free radical, that plays an important role in regulation of a variety processes in plants. This small gaseous molecule is known as dormancy removing factor during seed germination of various plant species and probably plays role in activation of embryonic axes. The influence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) a commonly used NO donor on seed germination of weed species: pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) and goosefoot (Chenopodium album) and crops: sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) was investigated. SNP stimulated germination of sugar beet, barley and pigweed seeds in dose dependent manner. Additionally, in seedlings of sugar beet developed from seeds treated with SNP the improvement of root and shoot growth was detected. The obtained results suggest that SNP maybe a useful chemical in seed priming, leading to acceleration of seedling growth and development.