Effect of Physiological Acid Salts on Swelling, Germination and Growth Processes of Seedlings

The effect of physiological acid salts (KCl and NH4Cl) on wheat (C3), corn (C4) seeds hydration, swelling, germination processes and growth rate of sprouts was studied. It is determined that swelling is a very complex and phased process, and it follows the same way during effects of salts on kinetic regard. As in control, in experience the absorption of water, regardless of the object, was also specified with 3-phase curves, and the only difference was quantitative. It was revealed that germination of seeds and growth of sprouts gets weakened under the physiological effects of acid salts. Adverse effect of salts was higher on corn seeds. No germination in higher concentrations of salts or the low growth may be due to specific effects of ions. During the short-term effects of salt, i.e. the first stages of germination (within 3 days), the seeds were more sensitive to the adverse effects of salt. At the later stages of ontogenesis (within 7 days), higher germination and growth indicators of seeds can be explained with transition from heterotrophic feeding into autotrophic feeding, because of the defense mechanism, and adaptation to the adverse effects of salt during this period. NH4Cl has more negative impact on germination and growth processes compared to KCl. Because compared to K+, NH4+ cations are more rapidly absorbed and immediately join to metabolism, thus, result in more rapid acidation.