Effect of a humic preparation on spring barley plants under elevated lead stress
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31279/ABNC-2026-16-3-137Keywords:
lead pollution, humic preparation from vermicompost, barley, cytomorphometric parametersAbstract
Introduction. Numerous studies indicate the adaptogenic role of humic substances, which allows their application to reduce the negative consequences of not only weather disasters but also to decrease stress from pesticide application and the presence of toxic compounds in the environment, including heavy metals. However, there is insufficient knowledge regarding the mechanisms of their impact on agricultural plants, including plant cellular structures.
Aim. To demonstrate the effect of a humic preparation on the growth of common barley under stress conditions caused by lead pollution.
Materials and Methods. Under laboratory experiment conditions, environmental pollution with lead acetate was simulated, and an attempt was made to neutralize the toxic effect of lead on common barley plants by introducing a humic preparation into the medium. The pot experiment was modeled using the hydroponic method of plant cultivation. Silt-washed and calcined quartz sand was used as a substrate, and Pryanishnikov's nutrient mixture was used as a nutrient solution. Plants were grown for 14 days (which corresponds to the beginning of tillering for barley). Subsequently, morphometric measurements were performed, and cytomorphometric parameters were measured.
Results. Substrate pollution with lead causes changes in the size of the root system and the aboveground part of barley, and reduces plant weight. Microscopic analysis revealed changes in the cytomorphometric parameters of roots and leaves, which were expressed in an increase in the root cross-sectional size compared to the control and the proportion of conducting tissues within it, as well as damage to leaf chlorenchyma cells and a decrease in the number of plastids inside them.
Conclusion. The application of the humic preparation allowed for a partial compensation of the negative effects, promoting plant adaptation to the pollutant action due to the optimization of root formation processes and the restoration of the number of plastids in the cells of leaf blades.
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