Effects of acetylsalicylic acid on germination, growth and chlorophyll amounts of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seeds

Abstract

Germination activities, various growth parameters (primary root length, hypocotyl length, primary leaf length, plant length and increase in fresh weight) and chlorophyll (a+b) amounts of cucumber seeds exposed to 0, 10 -5, 10-4, 10-3 and 0.5×10-2 M aqueous solutions of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for 48 h were established. While 0.5×10-2 M ASA significantly prevented germination activity of the seeds, other concentrations did not produce any effect, either positive or negative. Meanwhile, 0.5×10-2 M ASA inhibited radicle growth of the germinated seeds, while 10-5 M ASA increased radicle growth. Other concentrations of ASA did not affect radicle growth. The following findings were obtained from the one-week seedlings exposed to ASA for 48 h: 0.5×10-2 M ASA prevented growth (lengthening) of root, hypocotyl, leaf and plant and increased chlorophyll (a+b) amount with an increase in fresh weight. Contrary to 0.5×10-2 M ASA application, these features of the seedlings (except for the leaf length) were encouraged by 10-5 M ASA. 10-3 M ASA only prevented root growth and reduced chlorophyll (a+b) amount. Other concentrations of ASA did not bring about any positive or negative effect on the features studied. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.