Comparison of the effect produced by ozone and constant electric field on the morphophysiological characteristics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings

This study investigated the effect of ozone and constant electric field on the morphological and physiological characteristics of tomato and wheat seedlings with the purpose of creating an effective and environmentally friendly technology for increasing the growth potential of crop seeds. Seeds of cv. Ventura tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and cv. Irkutskaya soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were exposed to ozone concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 g/m3 and electric field strengths of 1.6 and 2 kV/cm. The exposure time was 15 and 30 min. Both ozone and constant electric field were found to expand the spread of data on the shoot and root length, as well as alter the energy of seed germination. Depending on ozone concentrations and electric field strengths, the effect of seed treatment was established to be both positive and negative. The most optimal mode for ozonization of tomato seeds was achieved at an ozone concentration of 5 g/m3 for 15 minutes. The optimal mode for treating tomato seeds by electric field was achieved at an electric field strength of 1.6 kV/cm for 15 min. Wheat was determined to response to treatment not as intensively as tomato. When treating wheat seeds, ozonization is a more preferable method, since it stimulates germination even at an ozone concentration of 1 g/m3 for 15 minutes. However, our experimental results showed that even small changes in the mode of exposure both to ozonization and electric field can result in seed damage, thereby inhibiting the development of plants and decreasing the seed germination energy.