Morphometric variations of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seeds by delta-endotoxin (Bacillus thuringiensis) treatment

To achieve high crop yield it is important to use all the available agents, which includes agents for plants growth promoting. The objects under consideration are the plants of the Cucumber (cultivars “Konkurent”, “Zhuravlenok”, “Fermer”) and the commercial strain of delta endotoxin producer Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. Plant emergence and germinating energy were estimated according to State Standard 123038-84. The cultivars “Konkurent” showed the most significant change in the concentration 0,075 %: germinating energy improved up to 5,7 %, plant emergence increased up to 4,2 %. It was discovered the clear cut seeds swelling of the cultivars “Konkurent” (8 and 17,4 % in 17 and 25 hours respectively) and “Zhuravlenok” (25 and 30 % respectively). The cultivar “Fermer” indicated the 15 %-promotion after 25 hours of seeds steeping. Delta endotoxin truly increased the water entrance in comparison with the control set up to 30 % for “Zhuravlenok”. For “Konkurent” and “Fermer” the water entrance was raised up to 15 and 12 % respectively. Treatment the cucumber seeds with delta endotoxin promoted the seedling lengthen to 4 - 10 mm in comparison with the control set. The performance improving of seeds swelling, plant emergence, germinating energy, and seedling length were caused by seeds enhancement through the delta endotoxin antibiotic activity onto phytopathogenic bacteria.