ORIGINAL RESEARCH
How Biojodis and Cyanobacteria Alleviate
the Negative Infl uence of Predicted Environmental
Constraints on Growth and Physiological Activity
of Corn Plants
Krzysztof Piotrowski1, Zdzislawa Romanowska-Duda1,
Mieczyslaw Grzesik2
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1Department of Ecophysiology and Plant Development, University of Lodz,
Banacha 12/16, 90-131 Lodz, Poland
2Research Institute of Horticulture,
Konstytucji 3 Maja 1/3, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland
Submission date: 2015-10-02
Final revision date: 2015-12-04
Acceptance date: 2015-12-05
Publication date: 2016-03-17
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2016;25(2):741-751
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ABSTRACT
Information concerning corn plant development within predicted environmental constraints and the possibility
of alleviating their negative infl uence by ecological compounds is limited. Thus the aim of our research
was to evaluate the physiological activity, growth, and development of corn plants under the expected
climate-change conditions and treated with Biojodis (certifi cated extract of humus and active iodine; Jodavita,
Lithuania) and Cyanobacteria (a mixture of monocultures of Microcystis aeruginosa MKR 0105 and
Anabaena sp. PCC 7120). ‘Cyrkon’ corn plants (Zea mays L.) were cultivated in several simulated predicted
climate conditions, including constant or periodically changing temperature and soil moisture content. During
the vegetative season they were treated at three-week intervals using Biojodis at concentrations of 1.0,
2.0, or 3.0%, and Cyanobacteria, and then assessed using growth and physiological parameters.
The obtained results showed the corn’s different reactions to the applied conditions. Plants that grew
at constant or periodically changing different temperatures (0 to 40ºC) or in unsatisfactorily (20% m.c.)
or excessively (60% m.c.) watered soils, developed slowly in comparison with those growing at 20ºC and
in optimally moistened media (30% m.c.). Watering, spraying, or watering and spraying of corn plants
with Biojodis (1, 2, 3%) and a foliar application of Cyanobacteria increased their growth at optimal or
unfavourable temperature and in unsatisfactory or excessively moistened soil. The three times spraying
with Biojodis (1 or 2%) and with Cyanobacteria was most promising. The plant development changes
related to the used compounds and simulated environmental constraints were associated with the changes
in indexes of chlorophyll content in leaves, stability of membranes, gas exchange, and activity of acid
or alkaline phosphatase and RNase. The above indicates that foliar and soil application of Biojodis and
plant sprayings with Cyanobacteria increased growth of corn cultivated under optimal temperature and soil moisture content and partly restored the harmful effects of artifi cial temperature and water stress on plant
development and physiological activity. Biojodis also can increase the iodine content in corn and uptake of
nutrients from the soil, and thus decrease environmental pollution.