The influence of copper on seed germination and growth in the first ontogenetic stages in the species Brassica oleracea L. and Cucurbita pepo L.

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study regarding the influence of treatment with copper in different concentrations (60mg/l, 100mg/l and 150mg/l) on germination and incipient growth on two crop species. The following indicators were analyzed: the percentage of germinated seeds, the mean time of germination, the length of the root and of the hypocotyl, the tolerance index, the chlorophyll fluorescence. In both species, the following effects were recorded: a statistically not significant increase in germination percentage; a reduction of the germination mean time, a negative influence on root and hypocotyle elongation; a reduction of the tolerance index, a reduction of the chlorophyll fluorescence ΦPSII parameter. Brassica oleracea was more sensible compared to Cucurbita pepo towards the applied treatments.