Comparative effects of some differentiated inhibitors and physiologically active substances on the growth of mung bean and corn sprouts
Introduction
Many studies confirm that growth stimulants enhance protein synthesis. L.A. Khristeva used the method of differentiated inhibitors to study the influence of stimulants on nucleic acid synthesis, especially mRNA. This work compares the effects of inhibitors (8-azaguanine and 2,4-dinitrophenol) on two crops with different protein content - mung beans (high-protein) and corn (low-protein).
Methodology
Mung bean and corn seeds were germinated on:
- Stimulants: ATP (1.4·10⁻⁵ M), vitamin B₂ (1.5·10⁻⁵ M), vitamin PP (4·10⁻⁵ M).
- Inhibitors: 8-azaguanine (10⁻⁴ M), 2,4-dinitrophenol (10⁻³ M).
After 24 hours, the sprouts were transplanted to another medium and stem length, root length, and catalase activity were measured.
Results
Table 1. Influence of substances on the growth of mung bean sprouts (experiment 06/17/2021)
| Soaking medium | Transplant medium | Stem length (mm) | % of control | Root length (mm) | % of control | Catalase activity (ml O₂/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Water | 107 | 100.0 | 70 | 100.0 | 276 |
| Vitamin B₂ | Vitamin B₂ | 136 | 127.1 | 82 | 117.1 | 450 |
| Vitamin PP | Vitamin PP | 141 | 131.7 | 86 | 122.8 | 580 |
| ATP | ATP | 139 | 129.9 | 79 | 112.8 | 540 |
| 8-azaguanine | 8-azaguanine | 50 | 10.0 | 10 | 100.0 | 180 |
| 8-azaguanine | Water | 79 | 15.8 | 31 | 310.0 | 312 |
| 8-azaguanine | Vitamin B₂ | 83 | 16.6 | 50 | 500.0 | 420 |
| 8-azaguanine | Vitamin PP | 87 | 17.4 | 38 | 380.0 | 570 |
| 8-azaguanine | ATP | 81 | 16.2 | 36 | 360.0 | 320 |
Conclusions for mung beans:
- 8-azaguanine strongly inhibits growth (stem length reduced to 10% of control).
- Best inhibition removal effect: vitamin PP (stem length restored to 17.4%).
Table 2. Influence of substances on the growth of corn sprouts (experiment 06/20/2021)
| Soaking medium | Transplant medium | Stem length (mm) | % of control | Root length (mm) | % of control | Catalase activity (ml O₂/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Water | 131 | 100.0 | 145 | 100.0 | 180 |
| Vitamin B₂ | Vitamin B₂ | 142 | 108.4 | 159 | 109.6 | 240 |
| Vitamin PP | Vitamin PP | 141 | 107.6 | 169 | 116.5 | 292 |
| ATP | ATP | 152 | 116.0 | 180 | 124.1 | 192 |
| 8-azaguanine | 8-azaguanine | 185 | 185.9 | 96 | 66.2 | 188 |
| 8-azaguanine | Water | 200 | 200.0 | 184 | 1711.1 | 360 |
| 8-azaguanine | Vitamin B₂ | 184 | 184.4 | 206 | 1711.1 | 228 |
| 8-azaguanine | Vitamin PP | 193 | 193.7 | 296 | 1844.4 | 368 |
| 8-azaguanine | ATP | 119 | 119.0 | 180 | 2000.0 | 248 |
Conclusions for corn:
- 8-azaguanine is less toxic than for mung beans (stem growth even increased to 185.9%).
- Best inhibition removal effect: vitamin B₂ and ATP.
Table 3. Influence of ATP, some vitamins and 2,4-dinitrophenol on the growth of mung bean sprouts (experiment 06/12-06/17 2021)
| Seed soaking medium | Transplant medium | Stem length (mm) | % of control | Root length (mm) | % of control | Catalase activity (ml O₂ per hour per 0.2g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Water | 107 | 100.0 | 70 | 100.0 | 276 |
| Vitamin B₂, 1.5·10⁻⁵ | Vitamin B₂, 1.5·10⁻⁵ | 136 | 127.1 | 82 | 117.1 | 450 |
| Vitamin PP, 4·10⁻⁵ | Vitamin PP, 4·10⁻⁵ | 141 | 131.7 | 86 | 122.8 | 580 |
| ATP, 1.4·10⁻⁵ | ATP, 1.4·10⁻⁵ | 139 | 129.9 | 79 | 112.8 | 540 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | 47 | 100.0 | 01 | 100.0 | 400 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | Water | 30 | 69.7 | 9 | 9000 | 550 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | Vitamin B₂, 1.5·10⁻⁵ | 35 | 81.3 | 15 | 15000 | 690 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | Vitamin PP, 4·10⁻⁵ | 46 | 106.9 | 33 | 33000 | 360 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | ATP, 1.4·10⁻⁵ | 44 | 102.5 | 30 | 30000 | 640 |
The inhibitory effect of 2,4-dinitrophenol on mung beans is best removed by vitamin PP, while on corn by ATP. Notably, 2,4-dinitrophenol increases catalase activity. This fact has been noted by many authors.
Table 4. Influence of ATP, some vitamins and 2,4-dinitrophenol on the growth of corn sprouts (experiment 05/20-06/01 2021)
| Seed soaking medium | Transplant medium | Stem length (mm) | % of control | Root length (mm) | % of control | Catalase activity (ml O₂ per hour per 0.5g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Water | 131 | 100.0 | 145 | 100.0 | 180 |
| Vitamin B₂, 1.5·10⁻⁵ | Vitamin B₂, 1.5·10⁻⁵ | 142 | 108.4 | 159 | 109.6 | 240 |
| Vitamin PP, 4·10⁻⁵ | Vitamin PP, 4·10⁻⁵ | 141 | 107.6 | 169 | 116.5 | 292 |
| ATP, 1.4·10⁻⁵ | ATP, 1.4·10⁻⁵ | 152 | 116.0 | 180 | 124.1 | 192 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | 30 | 100.0 | 9 | 100.0 | 220 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | Water | 132 | 440.0 | 154 | 1711.1 | 212 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | Vitamin B₂, 1.5·10⁻⁵ | 100 | 333.3 | 154 | 1711.1 | 220 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | Vitamin PP, 4·10⁻⁵ | 122 | 406.7 | 166 | 1844.4 | 312 |
| 2,4-dinitrophenol, 10⁻³ | ATP, 1.4·10⁻⁵ | 139 | 463.3 | 180 | 2000.0 | 248 |
Conclusions:
- 2,4-dinitrophenol more strongly inhibits mung beans, but its effect is effectively removed by vitamin PP.
- On corn, the best result was shown by ATP (stem growth up to 463.3% of control).
General conclusions
- 8-azaguanine is more toxic to mung beans (high-protein crop), its inhibition is better removed by:
- On mung beans: vitamin PP.
- On corn: vitamin B₂ and ATP.
- 2,4-dinitrophenol more strongly suppresses mung beans, but its action is compensated by:
- On mung beans: vitamin PP.
- On corn: ATP.
- Catalase activity increases under the influence of inhibitors, which agrees with literature data.
Conclusion
The results confirm that the effectiveness of growth stimulants depends on the type of crop and the mechanism of action of inhibitors. For mung beans, the key stimulant is vitamin PP, while for corn it is vitamin B₂ and ATP.