Germination, endogenous hormones and protein pattern of cucumis sativus seeds as affected by the endogenous bioregulators of cyperus rotundus extract

ABSTRACT

The effect of different concentrations of underground organ and foliage extracts of purple nutsedge [Cyperus rotundus L.] were tested on germination of cucumber seeds. The underground organ and foliage extracts inhibited germination, radical and plumule lengths, fresh and dry weights and endogenous hormones [auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins] and altered the protein pattern of cucumber seedlings. In the meantime the endogenous inhibitors [ABA and phenols] were increased; Stimulations of these characters were obtained when both extracts [underground organ and foliage] were diluted to 5 percent concentration [W/V]. The foliage extract tended to induce greater inhibition than underground extract. Chromatography fractionations and bioassays of growth regulating substances were investigated in response to both underground and foliage extracts of Cyperus rotundus. The above investigation showed that the extracts have a potent growth regulating activity, in addition to the presence of inhibitory substances mainly phenolic compounds