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    The comparison effect of Avena sativa, Gingko biloba and Withania somnifera on germination of barley seeds (Hordeom Vulgare)
    (2024) Hadebe, Zanele Nqobile; Couchman, Ingrid; Mugwedi, Lutendo
    Background Agriculture is one of the main contributors to the South african economy. Feeding a growing population, availability of skilled farmers and sustaining an environment are amongst the three crucial issues agriculture faces. Fertilisers are one of the main solutions for growth of plants in agriculture, however, these fertilisers are often used at the cost of the environment.This has stirred a universal hunt for economic friendly alternatives like biofertiliser. Aim of the study This research study aims to determine the effects of three homoeopathic decimal dilutions (3X) of Avena sativa, Gingko biloba and Withania somnifera on barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare). The homoeopathic decimal dilutions of Avena sativa, Gingko biloba and Withania somnifera were selected as they possess phytochemicals that could be beneficial to increase plant crop yield. Methodology Benyunes(2005) German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP) 4a specifications were followed for creating the homoeopathically manufactured (3X) decimal dilutions of Withania somnifera, Avena sativa and Gingko biloba for the investigation. A randomised complete block was used in the experimental setup at the Durban University of Technology's Horticulture Department nursery. Two experiments were conducted simultaneously: Experiment A (treatments made with deionised water) and Experiment B (treatments made with 30% ethanol). Experiment A A total of 600 barley seeds were germinated in three trays labelled 1 to 4 with tags separating the seedling trays into four categories, namely: Avena sativa 3X, Gingko biloba 3X, Withanania somnifera 3X and control (deionised water). Each tray consisted of 200 barley seeds, 200/4 = 50 seeds in each category. Thus, the experiment was replicated three times. Experiment B A total of 600 barley seedswere germinated in three trays labelled 4 to 6 with tags separating the seedling trays into four categories, namely: Avena sativa 3X, Gingko biloba 3X, Withanania somnifera 3X and control (30% alcohol). Each tray consisted of 200 barley seeds, 200/4 = 50 seeds in each category. Thus, the experiment was replicated three times. The study was conducted over a 23-day period. This research utilised a quantitative method to collect data before and post-harvest. The number of seedlings that emerged, stem diameter and shoot height were measured before harvest. Ten seedlings were randomly selected from each replicate (i.e., 30 seedlings per treatment). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare seed germination, leaf number, stem diameter, shoot height, root length, shoot weight and root weight, followed by the Tukey HSD test (a = 0.05). The paired sample test was used to compare the difference between treatments that used water as a vehicle and those that used ethanol as a vehicle (P = 0.05). The data collected were analysed using software (IBM SPSS Statistics v27; IBM Corp). Results The results indicated that there were significant differences in the germination percentage, leaf number, shoot height and shoot weight in the seedlings grown in deionised water as a vehicle. It was found that with deionised water as vehicle, Avena sativa had the highest germination percentage and highest root weight. Control (deionised water) had the highest leaf numbers and the tallest shoots. Gingko biloba had highest shoot weight for the samples grown using deionised water as the vehicle. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in most of the parameters tested for the seedlings grown in ethanol except for except germination percentage between Gingko biloba and control and another significance of difference in Gingko biloba,Withania somnifera and Avena sativa on germination percentage as parameter as well as significance of difference between control (ethanol),Gingko biloba and Withania somnifera on stem diameter as parameter . It was found that deionised water appeared to be the best growth vehicle for Avena sativa and Gingko biloba extracts while Withania somnifera was the best when ethanol was used as a vehicle. Conclusion Based on the results, it can be concluded that the overall best treatment that can benefit farmers was Avena sativa with deionizide water as a vehicle as it had the highest germination percentage and root weight. Ethanol had an inhibitory effect when used with homoeopathic remedies, so deionised water was the best growth vehicle. The results indicated that there is a potential for homoeopathy in agriculture, and more studies are required. Farmers can then produce good crops while sustaining the environment
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    A comparison between the efficacy of radionically prepared gibberellic acid and homoeopathically prepared gibberellic acid (GHP) on the germination rate and seedling development of barley seeds
    (2016) Kleingeld, Gerhard; Naude, David F.
    Aim The aim of this controlled, experimental study was to compare the biological activity of various homoeopathic potencies of gibberellic acid manufactured radionically (AMS transfer device) and conventionally (GHP) in terms of their respective influence on germination rate and seedling development of barley seeds; all the respective results being contrasted against those produced by the distilled water control. Methodology The research was completed by employing quantitative research techniques and followed true experimental design. Homoeopathically (Hahnemannian) prepared gibberellic acid followed the manufacturing guidelines of method 5a involving liquid preparations, as specified in the German Homoeopathic pharmacopoeia (GHP) (Benyunes 2005). A second radionic ‘equivalent’ version of each of the Hahnemannian potencies was manufactured using the ‘AMS wave transfer’ device. Four sources of data were collected namely, germination count and rate, seedling development (root length), seedling dry mass, and number of seeds with measurable roots. All the data was collected and documented on a data collection sheet using Microsoft Excel. All the data was statistically analysed and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GenStat Version 14 (VSN International, UK) at the 5% level of significance. The statistical data was used to produce a comparison between the different remedies and distilled water. Results All of the remedy treatment groups (Radionic 200c, Hahnemannian 200cH, Radionic 4c and Hahnemannian 4cH) displayed suppressive effects (to certain extents respectively ) on seed growth and development in comparison to the control group (distilled water). The control group displayed greater seedling development in comparison to all remedy treatment groups which was most evident in the average root lengths and high vigour seed lot root lengths having longer roots than all remedy treatment groups. The control group also displayed a higher number of seeds with measurable roots compared to all the remedy treatment groups in both total number of seeds and in the seeds accounted for in the high vigour lots. This suggests that all Homoeopathic remedies irrespective of potency or manufacture method (Radionic or Hahnemmanian) had similar suppressive effects on root growth and seedling development and this suppressive effect was in turn not evident in the control group. Conclusion The experiment results suggest that radionically manufactured homoeopathic remedies (AMS wave transfer device) have similar biological effects (suppressive effects) to the equivalent Hahnemannian manufactured homoeopathic remedies, although further research in this field is necessary to confirm these findings the results from this study are supportive of the use of radionically prepared remedies in homoeopathic practice.
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    A study of the effectiveness of homoeopathically prepared dilutions of abscisic acid, molybdenum and allopurinol in inhibiting or promoting the germination of barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare)
    (2008) Evans, Nicole Paula
    Introduction This study investigated the effectiveness of homoeopathic dilutions of abscisic acid (ABA), molybdenum and allopurinol on inhibiting or promoting the germination of barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare cv. Stirling, ex Caledon, Western Cape, South Africa, 1998 harvest). Recent research involving ABA and seed germination has shown mixed results, with Bruni (2001), finding there to be statistically significant biological effects, but Couchman (2001) not. Objective/Aim/Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of homoeopathic dilutions of ABA, molybdenum and allopurinol (two substances which have an effect on ABA metabolism), especially those above the 10-23 level (Avogadro’s dilution limit), on germination, in light of recent findings. Abscisic acid, a plant hormone and molybdenum, a trace element, both play an essential role in inducing dormancy of the seed. Allopurinol, a therapeutic drug, has also been shown to affect ABA metabolism and therefore seed germination. The study used all three substances individually and in combination, in homoeopathic dilutions ranging from 4CH to 200CH potency. Methodology There were 7 treatments with 5 potencies per treatment (4CH, 9CH, 15CH, 30CH and 200CH). Each potency level for each treatment had a control, which meant there were 5 controls per treatment. The seeds (distally cut) were placed in 9cm Petri dishes (20 seeds in each), with 5 repetitions, 100 seeds per dilution level with one control of 20 seeds. There were thus 600 (120 x 5) seeds per treatment and 4200 seeds in total (600 x 7 treatments). Seeds were germinated in the dark at a constant temperature. Counts were done every 24 hours for 3 days and the data recorded. The criterion for germination was radical emergence. Results The data was analysed statistically using Univariate Analysis of Variance (STATISTICA version 6). The results showed statistically significant interaction between treatments and potencies and a One-Way Anova was then used to analyse each treatment to determine the effectiveness of each potency. Statistically significant differences were noted between potencies for each treatment. From the results it was clear that the most effective treatment for stimulating germination was the treatment utilizing homoeopathic dilutions of allopurinol. The most effective treatment for inhibiting germination was the treatment utilizing ABA in homoeopathic dilutions. The 30CH (10-60) showed a statistically significant effect on the stimulation of germination across almost all treatments, whereas the 15CH (10-30) showed a statistically significant effect in inhibiting germination in most treatments. Conclusion It is evident from the results of this study that all the treatments produced distinct biological effects, whether it be stimulating germination or inhibiting germination in homoeopathic dilution.