The influence of physiologically active substances on the physiological and biochemical processes of peas

Among the various chemical agents designed to influence plant productivity, physiologically active substances occupy a significant place. Numerous studies indicate the possibility of increasing crop yields by pre-sowing seed treatment with physiologically active substances. Along with well-known classic stimulants, new ones are now being tested and used.

Humic substances are currently being widely studied in Ukraine and many countries worldwide, and agricultural practitioners are also showing interest. According to research on humic fertilizers, the main effect of physiologically active substances—vitamins and physiologically active forms of humic acids—is their impact on plant bioenergetics by improving oxygen supply to plants.

It is known that respiration is a vital source of energy (ATP) and compounds essential for all processes of synthesis, growth, movement, and so on. Respiration in the body is accomplished through a complex system of enzymes. The coenzymes NAD and NADP, which are crucial for respiration, include vitamin PP, or nicotinic acid.

During seed germination, respiration occurs very vigorously, accompanied by the formation of energy-rich compounds. However, synthesis and breakdown processes, which require significant amounts of energy, also occur no less vigorously in germinating seeds. Researchers have shown that at certain stages of their development—at the beginning and during periods of particularly intense biochemical processes, as well as when external conditions deviate sharply from the norm—plants are unable to synthesize the complex organic compounds that are components of redox systems.

Based on the above and considering the particular intensity of biochemical processes in germinating seeds, we used physiologically active substances in our research. Knowing the physiological functions of humic acids, vitamins, and ATP, we hypothesized that they could enhance the bioenergetics of germinating seeds. To test this hypothesis, we conducted field experiments in 1969, 1970, and 1972. The study involved seeds of the Ramonsky 77 pea variety, which were soaked in physiologically active substances for 24 hours. The solution was applied at a ratio of 1.5:1 to the weight of the seeds.

The experimental design was as follows: 1) seeds were soaked in water (control); 2) seeds were soaked in Agro.Bio Potassium Humate 0.005%; 3) seeds were soaked in vitamin PP 0.0005%; 4) seeds were soaked in ATP 0.001%. Given the purpose of our research, ATP also served as a kind of "energy" control in our experiments. After soaking, the seeds were air-dried and sown. The plot size was 50-100 m², replicated 4 times.

In our research, we monitored transpiration rates, chlorophyll biosynthesis, changes in catalase activity, and growth processes during various phases of pea plant growth and development in response to the action of physiologically active substances. Respiration rate is closely linked to the activity of respiratory enzymes. During pea plant development, the activity of the respiratory enzyme catalase changes. Catalase activity in pea leaves increases toward the pod formation phase. Moreover, in 1970, its activity during this phase was slightly higher than in 1969, which is clearly related to weather conditions. Observations of changes in catalase activity during pea plant development also showed that, throughout the years of research, physiologically active substances contributed to a slight increase in its activity. Thus, during the budding phase (1969), the catalase activity of pea plants whose seeds were soaked in Agro.Bio Potassium Humate before sowing was 28.5 ml O₂, 27.5 ml ATP, and 24.0 ml O₂ in vitamin PP, while in the control (water soaking) it was 22.5 ml O₂. An even greater difference between the control and the variants with Agro.Bio Potassium Humate and ATP was observed in the extremely dry year of 1972, when weather conditions deviated sharply from the norm.

Table 1. Dependence of the intensity of transpiration of pea leaves on FAV (g/m²/hour)

Pre-sowing seed soaking in physiologically active substances increases the amount of chlorophyll in leaves. Agro.Bio Potassium Humate stimulates synthetic processes in pea plants, in this case, chlorophyll biosynthesis. Studies have shown that transpiration rates also increase, leading to a decrease in plant body temperature during hot hours and promoting the normalization of physiological and biochemical processes.

Table 2. The influence of physiologically active substances on the dynamics of green mass growth and the height of pea plants (1970)

Thus, the presented research results indicate that pre-sowing treatment of pea seeds with physiologically active substances—Agro.Bio Potassium Humate , vitamin PP, and ATP—has a positive effect on the physiological and biochemical processes of plants. The additional supply of these physiologically active substances, whose physiological function is associated with increasing the bioenergetics of the plant organism, provides a kind of "recharge," elevating the entire vital potential of the embryonic and then adult plant to a higher level.

Agro.Bio Expert Note: Agro.Bio continues to develop the area described in this article using modern biotechnology. The use of highly effective products such as Agro.Bio Potassium Humate allows for a stable "energy boost" for plants in the early stages of development, ensuring sustainable growth and high productivity even in challenging climates.