Effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with semiconductor laser radiation on soft wheat productivity and its resistance to diseases

¹ Saint-Petersburg State Agrarian University, St. Petersburg, Pushkin, Russia
² Chemical Engineering Centre, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russia
³ Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
⁴ N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), St. Petersburg, Russia

^* Correspondence: kleon9@yandex.ru

Abstract

The study of the effectiveness of soft wheat seeds pre-sowing treatment with a continuous semiconductor laser (the wavelength of λ = 637 nm, the power density (Wp) of 2, 4, 8 W/m², the duration of exposure of 5, 30, 60 seconds) is presented in the work. The maximal increase in the wheat yield, as well as in the growth of most morphometric indicators of its productivity, was recorded in the experimental variant during pre-sowing seed treatment with the laser with a maximum power density of 8 W/m² and with the longest exposure time of 60 seconds. In addition, when seeds were irradiated with a laser with a maximum power density of 8 W/m², a decrease in the development of a complex of especially dangerous pathogens (helminthosporiosis root rot, septoria-pyrenophorous spotting, yellow rust) was observed. In general, with an increase in the power density of laser radiation and in the time of its exposure to seeds, the growth of the maximum number of morphometric indicators of wheat productivity and a decrease in the intensity of disease affect were revealed.