Influence of Growth Stimulants Ribav-Extra and Epin-Extra on the Germination of Seeds of Khinghan Fir (Abies Nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim.)

Abstract

Khinghan fir (Abies nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim.) is the most common species among the conifers of Primorsky Krai. It plays an important role in forest consumption. However, forest fires and logging lead to a reduction in the range of this species. Thanks to the use of growth stimulants, it is possible to accelerate the restoration of the Far Eastern fir. The aim of the research was to study the effect of the growth stimulants Ribav-Extra and Epin-Extra on germinative energy, laboratory seed germination and morphometric parameters of sprouts (length and weight) of Khinghan fir (Abies nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim.). According to GOSTS, the experiments were carried out in four repetitions in seven different concentrations of solutions (1×10-3 – 1×7×10-3 ml/l). Control − seeds soaked in distilled water. The length of sprouts was measured with the use of an electronic caliper. The mass of sprouts was weighed on an electronic balance. The conducted studies showed, that Ribav-Extra had the greatest effect on sowing qualities of seeds (germinative energy and laboratory germination) at the solution concentrations of 1×2×10-3- 1×7×10-3 ml/l, amounting to 4-16% (excess to the control − 21.2-384.8%). For laboratory germination (21.4-33.1%) − at the concentrations of 1×3×10-3-1×6×10-3 ml/l (excess to the control − 127.7-252.1%). Epin-Extra showed a more active effect on the energy of seed germination with the solution concentrations of 1×2×10-3-1×6×10-3 ml/l, amounting to 4-16%. Excess to the control − 21.2-384.8%. The concentration of solutions 1×3×10-3 - 1×5×10-3 ml/l had a positive effect on laboratory germination of seeds (13-33%), exceeding the control by 38.3-251.1%. An increase in seed quality classes was noted: from the third to the second and first. These stimulants also proved to be effective for increasing the biometric parameters of sprouts (length and weight). Thus, a significant effect of Ribav-Extra on the increase in the length of sprouts was noted at the concentrations of 1×10-3-1×6×10-3 ml/l (excess to the control − 7.7-50%); in Epin-Extra – with the solutions of 1×4×10-3-1×7×10-3 ml/l, exceeding the control by 7.7-40%. Ribav-Extra had a positive effect on the increase in the mass of sprouts in all concentrations of solutions (excess to the control − 5.1-79.5%). Epin-Extra is less effective.