EFFECTS OF BIOLOGICALS AND PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON THE SOWING QUALITY OF EGGPLANT SEEDS

Purpose. To investigate effects of biologicals with fungicidal and stimulating activities and natural and synthetic plant growth regulators on the sowing quality of seeds of various eggplant hybrids. Methods. Laboratory methods in compliance with DSTU 4138:2002. Results. Soaking of seeds of various eggplant hybrids in Phytocid, Mycosan-B, PhytoHelp, MycoHelp, Azotophyt, Vympel, Humisol, Ivin, and Emistim C solutions had positive effects on the sowing quality of seed: the germination energy increased on average by 1–34% and the laboratory germinability – by 2–28%. Regardless of the hybrid, soaking of seeds in Phytocid, PhytoHelp, and MycoHelp solutions significantly increased the germination energy by 34.2%, 32.5%, and 32.5%, respectively, compared to the control and the laboratory germinability of seeds by 27.6%, 27, 4% and 27.4%, respectively. When plant growth regulators Azotophyt, Ivin, and Emistim C were applied, the germination energy and laboratory germinability increased on average by 18–28% and 15–24%, respectively, compared to the control. With Mycosan-B, Vympel, and Humisol, the germinability and germination energy of seeds did not differ from the control levels. Soaking of eggplant seeds in solutions of the studied formulations positively affected the seedling length: there was on average a 1.24- to 1.94-fold elongation of seedlings. It was found that seeds of the investigated eggplant hybrids were contaminated with phytopathogenic micromycetes and, depending on damage degree, the hybrids were ranked in the following order: 'Sapfir'> 'Sharapova', 'Samurai' > 'Leire' > 'Night Lady', 'Fabina' > 'Destan'. Mycosan-B, Vympel, and Humisol were little effective (2.5–6.3%) against phytopathogens in comparison with the other formulations. Phytocid, PhytoHelp, and MycoHelp exerted potent fungicidal effects, which varied on different hybrids: 42.5–68.8%, 30.0–65.6%, and 32.5–65.6%, respectively. The fungicidal effectiveness of Ivin and Emistim C was 20.3% and 18.8%, respectively. Conclusions. Soaking of eggplant seeds in solutions of biologicals (Phytocid, PhytoHelp, and MycoHelp) and synthetic and natural plant growth regulators (Ivin and Emistim C, respectively) was shown to beneficially affect the sowing quality of seeds and suppress fungal phytopathogens. The greatest stimulatory effects of Phytocid, PhytoHelp, MycoHelp, Ivin, and Emistim C on the sowing quality of seeds were seen on hybs. 'Destan', 'Leire', and 'Fabina'. 51–58% suppression of phytopathogens was achieved when eggplant seeds were soaked in Phytocid, PhytoHelp, and MycoHelp; Ivin and Emistim C resulted in 19–20% suppression. The greatest suppression of phytopathogens on eggplant seeds was observed on hybs. 'Destan', 'Leire', 'Night Lady', and 'Fabina'.