RESUMO
In previous multicentre studies, the influence of a homeopathic ultra-high dilution of gibberellic acid on wheat growth was scrutinized. Data showed that this test dilution slowed down stalk growth when experiments were performed in the autumn season. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that pretreatment of grains with high concentrations of gibberellic acid would enhance the growth-inhibiting effect of the ultra-high dilution of the plant hormone. Grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum, 500 or 1000 per group) were pretreated with (non-agitated) gibberellic acid 10-5, 10-4 and 10-3 parts by weight (Ge-5, Ge-4, Ge-3) or with water (?W0?) for control prior to further treatment. Grains were then observed under the influence of extremely diluted gibberellic acid (10-30 parts by weigth) prepared by stepwise dilution and agitation according to a protocol derived from homeopathy (?G30x?). Analogously prepared water was used for control (?W30x?). Seedlings were allowed to develop under standardized conditions for 7 days; plants were harvested and stalk lengths were measured. Of the four pretreatment variants under study, Ge-3 yielded most growth, followed by Ge-4 , Ge-5 and finally W. This outcome was modulated by the application of G30x in that the inhibition obtained with G30x as compared to W30x was the greater the lower the pretreatment concentration of G had been. The hypothesis that pretreatment of grains with high concentrations of gibberellic acid would enhance the growth inhibiting effect of G30x had to be rejected. Rather, G30x slowed down stalk growth most in the W0 group with p < 0.001, only moderately in the Ge-5 and Ge-4 group and not at all in the Ge-3 group.(AU)
Assuntos
Giberelinas , Reguladores de Crescimento de Plantas , Triticum , AgriculturaRESUMO
In previous multicentre studies, the influence of a homeopathic ultra-high dilution of gibberellic acid on wheat growth was scrutinized. Data showed that this test dilution slowed down stalk growth when experiments were performed in the autumn season. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that pretreatment of grains with high concentrations of gibberellic acid would enhance the growth-inhibiting effect of the ultra-high dilution of the plant hormone. Grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum, 500 or 1000 per group) were pretreated with (non-agitated) gibberellic acid 10-5, 10-4 and 10-3 parts by weight (Ge-5, Ge-4, Ge-3) or with water (?W0?) for control prior to further treatment. Grains were then observed under the influence of extremely diluted gibberellic acid (10-30 parts by weigth) prepared by stepwise dilution and agitation according to a protocol derived from homeopathy (?G30x?). Analogously prepared water was used for control (?W30x?). Seedlings were allowed to develop under standardized conditions for 7 days; plants were harvested and stalk lengths were measured. Of the four pretreatment variants under study, Ge-3 yielded most growth, followed by Ge-4 , Ge-5 and finally W. This outcome was modulated by the application of G30x in that the inhibition obtained with G30x as compared to W30x was the greater the lower the pretreatment concentration of G had been. The hypothesis that pretreatment of grains with high concentrations of gibberellic acid would enhance the growth inhibiting effect of G30x had to be rejected. Rather, G30x slowed down stalk growth most in the W0 group with p < 0.001, only moderately in the Ge-5 and Ge-4 group and not at all in the Ge-3 group.
Assuntos
Agricultura , Giberelinas , Reguladores de Crescimento de Plantas , TriticumRESUMO
Control experiments were performed at different seasons of the year as a follow-up to pilot experiments [1] where a homeopathic high dilution of gibberellic acid had influenced growth in a wheat bio assay (7 days). Grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum, Capo variety) were observed under the influence of extremely diluted gibberellic acid (10-30) prepared by stepwise dilution and agitation according to a protocol derived from homeopathy (G30x). Analogously prepared water was used for control (W30x). Following up on 5 pilot experiments (4 in autumn 2007, 1 in spring 2008), 10 experiments were performed (5 in autumn 2008 or 2009 and 5 in winter 2009 or 2010) with a total of 9 experiments in autumn season (5 researchers, about 9,000 grains), and 6 in winter/spring (4 researchers, about 6,000 grains).(AU)
Experimentos controlados foram realizados em diferentes estações do ano, em continuação a um experimento-piloto [1] onde o ácido giberélico altamente diluído e agitado influenciaram o crescimento de trigo, em um ensaio biológico (7 dias). Grão de trigo de inverno (Triticum aestivum, variedade Capo) foram observados sob a influência do ácido giberélico altamente diluído (10-30) preparado por um processo serial de diluição e agitação, de acordo com um protocolo derivado da homeopatia (G30x). Analogamente, o mesmo protocol foi usado para preparar a amostra controle, apenas com água (W30x). Em continuidade a realização de 5 experimentos-piloto (4 no outono de 2007, 1 na primavera de 2008), 10 experimentos foram realizados (5 no outono de 2008 ou 2009 e 5 no inverno de 2009 ou 2010) com um total de 9 experimentos na estação do outono (5 pesquisadores, aproximadamente 9.000 grãos) e 6 no inverno/primavera (4 pesquisadores, aproximadamente 6.000 grãos).(AU)
Assuntos
Triticum , Germinação , GiberelinasRESUMO
Objective: Performing a study on a wheat growth bio assay with a homeopathic dilution of gibberellic acid at different seasons of the year.Methods: Grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum, Capo variety) were observed under the influence of extremely diluted gibberellic acid (10-30, 30x). Analogously prepared water was used for control. 15 experiments were performed, 9 in autumn season (5 researchers, 4,440 grains per group), and 6 in winter / spring (4 researchers, with 3,140 grains per group).Results: All 9 autumn experiments showed less stalk growth in the verum group (p > 0.01 in 4 cases, p > 0.05 in 3, trend in 2 cases). Mean stalk lengths (mm) were 46.97 + 20.50 for verum and 50.66 + 19.77 for control at grain level (N = 4,440 per group) and + 3.87 and + 3.38 respectively at dish level (217 cohorts of 20 or 25 grains per treatment group). Verum stalk length (92.72%) was 7.28% smaller than control stalk length (100%). In contrast, no reliable effect was found in experiments performed in winter / spring (less stalk growth in 1 case, no difference in 1, more growth in 3 cases). Overall verum stalk length (103.64%) was 3.64% slightly greater than control stalk length (100%). Data were found to be homogeneous within the control groups as well as within the verum groups.Conclusion: Results suggest that especially in the experiments performed in autumn, there was an influence of gibberellic acid 30x on wheat seedling development. The effect size is small when calculation is done on the basis of grains (d = 0.18) but high when done on the basis of dishes (d = 1.02). In contrast, no reliable effect was found in experiments performed in winter / spring. Further experiments should thus be performed in the autumn season.(AU)
Assuntos
Triticum , Agricultura , GerminaçãoRESUMO
Objective: Performing a study on a wheat growth bio assay with a homeopathic dilution of gibberellic acid at different seasons of the year.Methods: Grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum, Capo variety) were observed under the influence of extremely diluted gibberellic acid (10-30, 30x). Analogously prepared water was used for control. 15 experiments were performed, 9 in autumn season (5 researchers, 4,440 grains per group), and 6 in winter / spring (4 researchers, with 3,140 grains per group).Results: All 9 autumn experiments showed less stalk growth in the verum group (p > 0.01 in 4 cases, p > 0.05 in 3, trend in 2 cases). Mean stalk lengths (mm) were 46.97 + 20.50 for verum and 50.66 + 19.77 for control at grain level (N = 4,440 per group) and + 3.87 and + 3.38 respectively at dish level (217 cohorts of 20 or 25 grains per treatment group). Verum stalk length (92.72%) was 7.28% smaller than control stalk length (100%). In contrast, no reliable effect was found in experiments performed in winter / spring (less stalk growth in 1 case, no difference in 1, more growth in 3 cases). Overall verum stalk length (103.64%) was 3.64% slightly greater than control stalk length (100%). Data were found to be homogeneous within the control groups as well as within the verum groups.Conclusion: Results suggest that especially in the experiments performed in autumn, there was an influence of gibberellic acid 30x on wheat seedling development. The effect size is small when calculation is done on the basis of grains (d = 0.18) but high when done on the basis of dishes (d = 1.02). In contrast, no reliable effect was found in experiments performed in winter / spring. Further experiments should thus be performed in the autumn season.