Changes of Triticum Aestivum, Hordeum Vulgare and Vicia Faba chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters under impact of sapropel

Abstract

Fertilizer usage is increasing worldwide and with that, a lot of environmental problems are being created. So it is becoming really important to avoid such problems, one of these alternatives could be sapropel. The aim of this work is to investigate effects of sapropel on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and beans (Vicia faba L.) photosynthesis pigment content and fluorescence parameters. Plants were sown in 1 l pots with prepared substrate, 10 seeds each. There were investigated the effects of unfertilized soil (control) and different concentrations 2.2; 3.1 and 4 t/ha of sapropel on plants. Plants were grown in controlled environment conditions. Experiment lasted one month, at the end of the experiment the content of pigments was measured spectrophotometrically. Handy PEA chlorophyll fluorimeter was used for determination of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. In wheat leaves the content of chlorophylls a+b increased more (r=0.94, p<0.05) than in barley (r=0.81, p<0.05), and in beans they even got lower, but insignificantly (r=-0.18, p>0.05). Content of carotenoids differed similarly to chlorophylls, i.e. by increasing sapropel concentration in growth substrate the content of carotenoids increased in wheat (r=0.87, p<0.05) and barley (r=0.87, p<0.05), meanwhile in beans – lowered (r=-0.5 p>0.05). Parameter of II photosystem efficiency – Fv/Fm ratio increased significantly together with sapropel concentration increase in wheat r=0.97 (p<0.05) and in barley r=0.98 (p<0.05). Fv/Fm ratio of beans increased too, but insignificantly (r=0.94; p>0.05). With increasing sapropel concentration photosynthesis index (PI) for wheat had low rise (r=0.4; p>0.05).