Influence of pregermination treatment with Atonik on nutlets imbibition and seedling growth of Echium russicum J.F. Gmel.
September 9, 2026
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| Article Title: | Influence of pregermination treatment with Atonik on nutlets imbibition and seedling growth of Echium russicum J.F. Gmel. |
| Authors: | Sava A.R., Stratu A., Zamfirache M.-M. |
| Affiliation: | Departament of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Romania |
| Abstract: | Echium russicum J.F. Gmel. (syn. Pontechium maculatum Böhle & Hilger), a species of community interest belonging to the Boraginaceae family, is included in Romania’s Red List, being considered vulnerable with population decline. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of pregermination treatment with the synthetic biostimulant Atonik (1‰ and 3‰ solutions) on Echium russicum seeds under laboratory conditions. The effects on imbibition and the growth of newly germinated seedlings were investigated analysing the following parameters: the amount of water absorbed during imbibition, emergence percentage, survival percentage, root length, shoot length, number of leaves per seedling, true leaf area, and cotyledon area; additionally, microscopic observations were conducted on the surfaces of the aerial organs of the seedlings. The results obtained highlighted positive effects of Atonik treatment on the growth of vegetative organs (statistically significant for root length and seedling length parameters at the 1‰ concentration) and on seedling survival. Morphological analysis of the leaf blades of cotyledons and true leaves revealed that they are amphistomatic (anomocytic-type stomata) and have simple, unicellular trichomes, which are more abundant on the upper epidermis. |
| Keywords: | Echium russicum J.F. Gmelin (syn. Pontechium maculatum Böhle & Hilger), Atonik solution 1‰ and 3‰, imbibition, growth, seedlings. |
| *Correspondence: | Stratu Anișoara, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Faculty of Biology, Department of Biology, Bd. Carol I, Nr. 20A, UAIC, Corp B, Tel. +40232201072, e-mail: anisoara.stratu@uaic.ro |
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