EFFECT OF PLANT EXTRACTED SMOKE AND REVERSION OF ABSCISIC ACID STRESS ON LETTUCE

Abstract

The stimulation of seed germination by smoke and aqueous smoke extracts has received much attention in recent years. However, the combine effects of smoke with plant hormones on seed germination remain unknown. This investigation describes how lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds respond to smoke solution and how the smoke solution can alleviate abscisic acid (ABA) stress. The results showed that plant extracted smoke treated seeds had significantly quicker germination, higher germination percentage, fresh weight, relative seed germination percentage, peak value, germination value, shoot and root length, germination index and vigor index as compared to control. No germination was observed in ABA (0.1mM) treated seeds but significant number of seeds germinated when ABA and smoke solutions were mixed together. It was observed that smoke solutions overcome the inhibitory effects of ABA and improved germination and seedling vigor, indicating that smoke alleviated ABA stress not only at the germination level but also at seedling stage.