Morpho-physiological effects of Stymjod foliar application on Dactylis glomerata L.

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to study the effects of foliar application of a growth regulator containing iodine nanoparticles, with the trade name of Stymjod, on morphometrics, photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content of Dactylis glomerate L. The following parameters were determined: the weight of fresh and dry matter of plants, leaves and roots, the number of shoots and leaves, potential (FV/Fm) and effective ( F/F ) quantum efficiency of photosystem, photochemical (qP) and non-photochemical (qN) quenching, as well as chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content in leaf blades. The pot experiment was carried out in a breeding room. Stymjod was applied at 1.5%, 3% and 4.5% concentrations in the spray solution. It is a nanotechnology-based growth regulator, with easily assimilable forms of mineral and organic ingredients, favorably affecting plant ontogenesis. Plants were treated twice with a single dose of 50 mL of spray per pot. They were sprayed till they were completely covered with the liquid. Distilled water was used to spray control plants. The results were statistically processed using analysis of variance, while the significance of the differences between means was determined with Tukey's test with P = 0.05. In the experiment it was found that different concentrations of Stymjod in the spray resulted in different response of plants. The best morphological effects were obtained using the concentration of the product exceeding 3%. In the test conditions Stymjod applied to D. glomerata increased the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus and the content of chlorophyll pigments.