Introduction: In science homeopathic diseases or physiological disorders are not considered just a result of abiotic and biotic factors, but rather a consequence of loss of organic system homeostasis. Homeopathic science is currently being used efficiently in the control of plagues[1], plant diseases[2], in the increase of medicinal plants’ active principles[3] and in plant metabolism[4,5]. Although actual results, both in the academic and field-level, very little is known about physiological mechanisms action of homeopathic medicine on germination process[6]. This work aims to study the effect of M. pubescens hydrogel, on some physiological variables of sorghum germination (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench).
Material and methods: The experiment was conducted at Homeopathy and Plant Physiology of Biology Department at UEM in the period from 04/05/06 to 30/12/06. M. pubescens (tingui) seeds were obtained from the region of Montes Claros - Minas Gerais. The M. pubescens hidrogel was obtained from the external centrals wrappers of 4 dry seeds, after they have been disposed in petri dishes with distilled water for a period of 36 hours of soaking (25oC). The hydrogel mother tincture was prepared according to Manual of Technical Standards for Homeopathic Drugstore[7] 3rd ed (2003), in the proportion of a hidrogel part (5g) to ten parts (50g) of absolute alcohol 70% and stored in a glass amber (capped and protected from light). After 15 days of maceration, the solution was filtered and after 48h at rest, the mother tincture was considered ready for use. The dilution 1cH (Centesimal Hahnemannian) was obtained by adding 0.2 ml of the mother tincture in 19.8 ml of distilled water (1/100) and sucussioned 100 times (33 sucussions s-1) by mechanical arm dynamizer with automatic stop (Model Denise 50 - AUTIC). The subsequent dilutions (2cH to 30cH) were obtained from the same procedure, starting from the dilution 1cH.
Bioassay: In petri dish containing 15 seeds of sorghum in a circular distributed were added 10 ml with their dilutions (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20 and 30cH) and the control containing distilled water. The petri dishes were placed in a growth chamber (type BOD), temperature of (25 ± 2)°C and photoperiod of 16h. The variables were analyzed by germination period of 73.5h as described below:
· Germination (%G): %G = (∑ni.N-1)x100 , where ∑ni, is the total number of germinated seeds in relation to the number of seeds put to germinate, expressed in percentage;
· Germination average time (GAT): GAT = ∑ni . ti / ∑ni , where ni is the number of germinated seeds within a certain interval of time ti-1 and ti; expressed in hours.
· Germination average speed (GAS), expressed in hours): GAS = ∑ni / ∑ni . ti
· Germination speed index (GSI): IVG = G1 / N1 + G2 / N2 + ........ Gn / Nn , where G1, G2....Gn is the number of germinated seeds and N1, N2, ... Nn is the number of hours after sowing.
The total number of germinated seeds, at each time (12h) was also analyzed. Seeds were considered germinated when the radicle had 1 to 2 mm of lengths.
Experimental design: The experimental design was randomized block with 4 replications, totaling 32 experimental units. It was adopted the double-blind methodology, to avoid possible interference or direction by the researcher.
Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed by ANOVA and the averages compared by Scott-Knott test (p≤0.05). The twinning combined data were analyzed for interaction germination x time (G x T) by F test to 5% of probability.
Results and discussion: The homeopathy of Magonia pubescens hydrogel affected on the germination kinetic variables of sorghum seeds, when compared with the control (Fig. 1). This effect was most observed in the initial process of germination (from 13h).
Research accomplished by Salgado-Labouriau (1973) [8] showed that the hydrogel formed from the external wrapper Magonia pubescens seeds, does not contain inhibiting, but contains factors that accelerate the germination process. Apparently, these results seem contradictory. However, for the homoeopathic optics, some used medicines in a considered way might have determined effect. Already in high diluted doses this behavior can be reversed, as it happens with some drugs. This behavior in pharmacokinetics is denomined Hormesis. When diluted and given dynamism, the product of hydrogel, instead of stimulating, it can delay the germination for the same phenomenon. Hormesis is not yet explained by science. Homeopathy of the Magonia pubescens gel significantly increased the germination average time (GAT) of sorghum seeds and reduced the germination average speed (GAS) and the germination speed index (GSI) (Fig. 2A, B and C). The values of these variables suggest that homeopathy, somehow slowed the speed of sorghum seeds soaking.
Conclusion: The results here presented suggest that high dilutions of Magonia pubescens hidrogel can be used in future experiment such as bioherbicide.
Substrate but not seed size affects seed germination of Dypsis onilahensis (Jum. & H. Perrier) Beentje & J. Dransf
