Influence of UV Radiation on Physical and Biological Properties of Rapeseed in Pre-Sowing Treatment

Abstract

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on pre-sowing treatment of seeds of the winter cultivar Lembke and cultivars treated with fungicides DK EXODUS, DK Exquisite and DK Exprit was studied. Experimental studies show a positive effect of UV irradiation in pre-sowing treatment of winter rapeseeds on seed vigour and germination, both when irradiated in region C (200-280 nm) and in region B (280-320 nm). It was found that UV radiation has a positive effect on the sowing qualities of winter rapeseeds varieties Lembke and DK EXODUS (treated with fungicides) when irradiated with a dose of 120 J/m2 : seed vigour increased by 11% in the variety DK EXODUS and 16.9% in the variety Lembke, germination on average by 13% compared to control samples. At doses of 250 and 500 J/m2 , a decrease in the sowing quality of seeds is observed. The main parameters of kinetic values of hydration were determined: moisture content and hydration rate. It was found that the rate of hydration increased sharply in the initial phase and gradually and slowly decreased in the middle and final phases of the hydration procedure, respectively, in order to achieve a saturated moisture content. Irradiated seeds at a dose of 120 J/m2 showed a higher rate of water absorption than the control, both in the early and later stages of the hydration procedure. It is established that UV-C irradiation changes the kinetics of water absorption by B. napus seeds at low doses of irradiation, causing faster penetration of water into the seeds and more efficient hydration of tissues, positively affecting sowing qualities and biometrics. It has been suggested that water uptake by UV-irradiated B. napus seeds causes excessive imbibition damage at higher doses of UV radiation, as the germination potential decreases and improves at low doses. No significant changes in biometric parameters were detected during UV irradiation of rapeseed varieties DK Exquisite and DK Exprit treated with fungicides and dyes.