INFLUENCE OF THE APPLICATION OF SELECTED ESSENTIAL OILS ON THE GERMINATION OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX) SEEDS.

The present scientific paper presents the results of the effects of treatments with essential oils of crimson beebalm (Monarda didyma) and wild thyme (Thymus pulegioides), at different concentrations (25μl/ml and 50 μl/ml), on the germination of soybean (Glycine max) seeds, considering the antifungal and antibacterial properties of the essential oils mentioned above. Soybean seeds represent one of the most important sources of vegetable protein, widely cultivated throughout the world. To evaluate the phytotoxicity of essential oils on the seed germination process, two experiments were realized: one in vitro and one in vivo. It was observed that the application of Monarda didyma and Thymus pulegioides essential oil treatments, at different concentrations, did not negatively influence the germination percentage of soybean seeds, but caused a reduction/inhibition of root size development. The in vivo experiment showed an inhibitory effect of the tested oils on the development of vegetative organs of soybean plants compared to plants in the control group not treated with essential oils. Based on the antifungal and antibacterial properties of the oils analysed, as well as the results obtained in the in vitro experiment following the application of essential oil treatments on soybean seeds, the use of the oils studied, can be taken into acount as possible ecofriendly fungicides in grain storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]