The effects of plant-derived smoke solutions on the germination and seedling growth of turf grass

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of the smoke solutions obtained from wheat straw on the germination and seedling development of turf grass (Lolium perenne L., Festuca arundinacea Schreb. And Poa pratensis L.). The germination characteristics were determined in petri media while seedling properties were in pot media. stock smoke solution was produced by burning 5 kg of straw and, the smoke was kept in 5000 ml of pure water with the help of vacuum. In the Petri experiment, firstly the seeds were incubated in smoke solutions of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20% concentrations for 18 hours and then sown. In the petri media, germination rate, germination speed, shoot length and root length were determined at different times for each species. In the pot environment, the concentration of 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20% of stock solution were used as the first irrigation water after sowing. In the pot media, the length of shoot, root length, shoot and root dry weights were determined. The results obtained from the petri and pot experiments showed that the species reacted to the smoke solution at different levels. In addition, it has been determined that smoke solution applications have in general negative effects on petri media while its provided significant improvements, depending on concentration, in pot media. However, high doses showed toxic effects in both media. As a result, it was determined that the smoke solutions derived from wheat straw improve the germination and seedling development of the turf grass examined. However, it has been determined that in smoke solution applications, the concentration is critical and species specific, and that soil application should be preferred instead of seed for positive effect.