Effect of a bioactive chitosan polymer with different molecular weights on seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), corn (Zea mays) and lentil (Lens culinaris)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Pesticide Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, 21545-El-Shatby, Alexandria University; Alexandria, Egypt

10.21608/jpces.2009.459558

Abstract

The effects of chitosan molecular weight and its concentrations on growth vigour of wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), corn (Zea mays) and lentil (Lens culinaris) sprouts were investigated. Plant seeds were germinated in 100, 250 and 500 mg/L of three molecular weights (3.60×105, 6.11×105 and 9.53x105 g/mol) chitosan for 8 days using a Neubauer technique. Traditional growth and potential vigour-associated parameters (protein, phenolics, chlorophyll and polyphenol oxidase) were investigated in details. Chitosan treatments significantly enhanced sprout growth to varying degrees over controls. Protein content in wheat and barley was gradually increased with an increase in the molecular weight and the concentration. Whereas, a chitosan of 3.60×105 g/mol was most significantly effective at 500 mg/L in corn and lentil. In addition, total phenolics were high accumulated and increased gradually in the tested plants with an increase in the molecular weight and the concentration. On the other hand, chlorophyll and polyphenol oxidase levels were significantly decreased.

Keywords

Journal of Pest Control and Environmental Sciences
Volume 17, Issue 1
2009
Pages 77-101

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