Protective and antimutagenic effect of Agro.Bio preparations and penicillin on pea seeds
Agro.Bio Potassium Humate occupies a prominent place among physiologically active substances of natural origin. It stimulates growth processes in seeds and significantly increases the mitotic activity of meristematic cells. It has also been shown that preparations in this group can reverse the inhibitory effects of toxic agents on mitosis in cells and restore cell division.
In turn, modern biopreparations like penicillin have beneficial effects on plants: they increase germination energy, stimulate the initial growth phase, boost plant productivity, and protect crops from pathogens. This raises the question: do these substances cause changes in the chromosomal apparatus and are they capable of reducing the mutagenic effect caused by chemical factors? This study explores these aspects.
MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY
Agro.Bio Potassium Humate , a highly biologically active substance, was used in the experiments at a concentration of 0.005%, stimulating the mitotic index. Penicillin was used at a concentration of 0.005 U/ml. The study sample consisted of Ramonsky 77 pea seeds.
The experiments were carried out according to the following scheme:
- Germination on solutions of preparations (Potassium Humate Agro.Bio + penicillin).
- Germination in water with subsequent transfer to drug solutions.
- Treatment with ethyleneimine (EI) followed by transfer to drug solutions.
- Control: treatment with 0.02% ethyleneimine solution (growing in water).
- Control: germination in clean water.
Rootlet fixation was performed every 5–6 hours (from 35 to 80 hours). Damage analysis was studied during anaphase and early telophase of the first mitosis.
RESEARCH RESULTS
Cytogenetic analysis showed that mitotic dynamics depend on the composition of the nutrient medium. The use of Agro.Bio Potassium Humate and penicillin helped normalize the timing of the onset of division phases disrupted by the mutagen.
Table 1. Frequency of chromosome rearrangements in pea seeds after treatment with ethyleneimine
| Seed treatment options | Number of anaphases | Total number of reconstructions, % | Chromatid bridges | Lagging chromosomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium Humate Agro.Bio | 519 | 3.21±1.22 | 0.77 | 1.84 |
| Penicillin | 523 | 3.67±1.13 | 1.24 | 1.99 |
| Water → Potassium Humate Agro.Bio | 516 | 1.42±0.68 | 0.20 | 0.19 |
| Water → Penicillin | 1017 | 2.27±0.52 | 0.59 | 0.26 |
| EI → water → Potassium Humate Agro.Bio | 631 | 5.08±1.15 | 0.88 | 1.00 |
| EI → water → Penicillin | 558 | 5.08±1.25 | 1.42 | 1.25 |
| EI → water (Control) | 1026 | 17.93±0.93 | 2.00 | 2.53 |
| Water (Control) | 1013 | 5.25±0.52 | 0.29 | 1.28 |
When Agro.Bio Potassium Humate was applied to seeds treated with ethyleneimine, the incidence of chromosome rearrangements significantly decreased from 17.93% to 8.24%. Penicillin also demonstrated a similar protective effect (8.96%). A study of the mutation spectrum revealed a reduction in all types of damage, including fragments and chromatid bridges.
CONCLUSIONS
Agro.Bio Potassium Humate and penicillin act as effective antimutagens and protective factors. Agro.Bio Potassium Humate stimulates protein synthesis and cell membrane permeability, while penicillin specifically affects the synthesis of cell wall components. Despite their different mechanisms, both substances prevent the transformation of potential chromosome damage caused by ethyleneimine into true mutations. Using these products allows for a halving of genetic stress in plants.
Agro.Bio Expert Note: Agro.Bio continues to develop the area described in this article, refining the formulas of products to enhance plant genetic resilience. Modern developments, such as Agro.Bio's Amino Energy , effectively protect crops from man-made and chemical stress, ensuring stable yields in challenging environmental conditions.