Promotive effect of irradiated sodium alginate on seed germination characteristics of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)
2012
Mohd. Idrees | M. Naeem | Tariq Aftab | Nadeem Hashmi | M. Masroor A. Khan | Moinuddin | Lalit Varshney
Radiolytically derived oligomers of sodium alginate are considered to act as signal molecules, affecting growth, development and defense mechanisms of plants through gene regulation. Since germination is a critical stage in the life cycle of plants, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of irradiated sodium alginate (ISA) on the characteristics of seed germination of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Soaking the seeds in an aqueous solution of ISA showed significant improvement in various seed germination parameters, viz. germination, viability and relative water content of seed, nitrate reductase activity, protease activity, α and β amylase activities in germinated seedlings of fennel. GPC study revealed formation of lower molecular weight oligomer fractions in irradiated samples which could be responsible for plant growth promotion in the present work.
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