Study of the effect of chromium on the germination parameters of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracium L.) and Lens (Lens culinaris)

S. Azzouzi*, M. Khamar, A. Nounah, E. Cherkaoui and F. Benradi

Mohammed V University, High School of Technology, Civil Engineering and Environment Laboratory (LGCE), Materials Water and Environment team,
MA11060 Sale, Morocco
*Correspondence: azzouzi.soukayna@gmail.com

Abstract:

Soil contamination by heavy metals is a global environmental problem. This contamination affects agricultural crops in the area concerned. In the present study, chromium, which is a heavy metal, is evaluated for its diverse effects on seed germination and lateral growth of fenugreek and lens seeds. A chromium solution was prepared at increasing concentrations: 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.1, and 0.2 mg L^-1 for the addition of germinating seeds in petri dishes for ten days. After two days, the germination rate is calculated. For the following days the length of radicle, stem, and number of leaves are measured. The germination rate of fenugreek varies between 100 and 73.33% for the control and 0.02 mg L^-1 of chromium respectively. However, the germination rate of the lens varies between 100% for the control and 90% for the 0.02 mg L^‑1. The elongation of fenugreek radicle with chromium solutions shows a significant effect. However, there is no significant difference in the lens at the different concentrations. For the growth of the fenugreek stalk, it is noticed that the concentration 0.02 shows a length of 2.83 cm compared to their control which is 2.30 cm. Consequently, chromium at 0.02 mg L^-1 stimulates growth, but at 0.2 mg L^-1, it inhibits it. For lens the length of the stems shows also a significant difference compared to their control. So the effect of chromium on germination parameters depends on their concentrations, as well as on the seed response itself. For our research the response of fenugreek compared to the lens at the same concentrations is different.

Key words:

Research into properties of blue melilot and fenugreek cultivated using different sowing times

I. Fedosiy¹, І. Bobos¹, O. Zavadska¹, O. Komar¹, O. Tonkha¹, M. Furdyha², S. Polishchuk³, M. Arak⁴ and J. Olt⁴*

¹National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 15, Heroyiv Oborony Str., UA03041 Kyiv, Ukraine
²Institute of Potato Growing of NAAS of Ukraine, 22 Chkalov Str., Nemishaeve Vlg, Borodyanka Dist., UA07853 Kyiv Region, Ukraine
³National Scientific Centre, Institute of Agriculture of NAAS of Ukraine, 2b, Mashinobudivnikiv Str., Chabany vil., Kyiv-Svyatoshin Dist., UA08162, Kyiv Region, Ukraine
⁴Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Engineering, 56 Kreutzwaldi Str., EE51006 Tartu, Estonia
*Correspondence: jyri.olt@emu.ee

Abstract:

The paper presents the results of the research into the properties of blue melilot (Melilotus caeruleus (L.) Desr.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) with regard to the set of their economy-and-biology and biochemical indices in relation to the dates of their sowing. It has been established that the two species under consideration feature wide ranges of index variability depending on the sowing term and the weather conditions. The earliest ripening terms have been recorded for species in case of summer sowing dates (decade I of June), when short growing season lengths of 36–37 days were observed. At the same time, in terms of heavy plant herbage yield obtained from species in the green conveyor system, the early spring (decades II–III of April) and late spring (decade I of May) sowing terms are more suitable providing
a herbage yield of 5.7–6.9 t ha^–1 in case of blue melilot and 7.3–9.3 t ha^–1 for fenugreek, with a solids content of 12.4–28.4%, total sugars of 2.5–5.0% and vitamin C – 38.0–51.8 mg (100 g)^-1. For the purpose of obtaining the spice named ‘Greek hay’ (foenum Graecum), a better choice is to cultivate fenugreek with early spring (decades II–III of April) and late spring (decade I of May) sowing times, as in this case a greater vegetation mass develops, resulting in a plant dry weight yield of 1.3–1.4 t ha^–1. An increase in the total precipitation by 1 mm has contributed to the variation of the herbage yield within the range of 15.0 to 77.3 kg ha^–1, dry matter yield – 0.693 to 25.9 kg ha^–1. High seed yield has been noted in case of sowing the species in early spring (decades II–III of April), where the seed yield of blue melilot was equal to 0.4 t ha^-1, fenugreek – 2.0 t ha^‑1, their 1,000 seeds having a weight of 0.71 and 9.7 g, respectively.

Key words:

blue melilot, fenugreek, herbage and dry weight, pod, sowing time, yield