Nariman F. Salakhutdinov and Nataliya G. Vlasenko
Novochizol™ (chitosan nanospheres) treatment of seeds of Spring Soft Wheat at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.05% favorably impacted both germination and growth processes. The effects on growth at the initial stages of organogenesis observed with the two concentrations depended on the growth conditions. When seeds were germinated and allowed to grow on filter paper in a germination chamber, the lower concentration Novochizol™ treatment (0.05%) was most effective in accelerating sprout appearance. In contrast, larger biomass accumulation and more uniform development of growth parameters were observed after the higher concentration Novochizol treatment (0.1%). The 0.1% Novochizol™ treatment had a significant stimulating effect on germination in soil substrate, with a 27.1% increase in sprout appearance after one day, and subsequent 100% germination. The 0.05% Novochizol™ treatment in the same experiment led to a significant increase in both root biomass (1.5-fold increase) and total seedling biomass (1.8-fold increase). Based on the results obtained in our experiments, and given its physicochemical characteristics. Novochizol™ appears to be a promising, practical candidate for pre-sowing seed treatment, leading to enhanced germination and growth at the initial stages of organogenesis.
