The growth of maize seedlings as function of free energy and redox potential

Abstract

The difference in the growth of maize seedlings originating from seeds injured by accelerated ageing, as well as those altered by restoring with low 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) concentrations was examined, from the point of view of free energy and redox potential. The ageing decreased germination ability, the seedling growth and free energy, with no remarkable influence on the redox capacity. Meanwhile, the 2,4-D treatment increased the germination percentage and the seedling growth, by better energy utilisation, with shifting of the redox balance to a reducing environment. From this point of view, the free energy and the redox potential are useful tools for the determination of biological vitality.

Ispitivana je razlika u rastu klijanaca poreklom iz semena koje je bilo izloženo tretmanu ubrzanog starenja, kao i semena koje je potom bilo izloženo regenerativnom uticaju niskih koncentracija 2,4-D (2,4-dihlorofenoksisirćetne kiseline) i to iz ugla slobodne energije i redoks potencijala. Starenje je smanjilo sposobnost klijanja semena, rast klijanaca i njihovu slobodnu energiju, bez znatnog uticaja na redoks potencijal. Sa druge strane, 2,4-D je uticao na bolje iskorišćenje energije i pomeranje redoks ravnoteže ka redukovanoj sredini, povećavajući klijavost i rast klijanca. Sa ove tačke gledišta, slobodna energija i redoks potencijal mogu biti korisni pri određivanju biološke vitalnosti.