Effects of acetic and butyric acids on growth of rice seedlings

Abstract

This study had the objective of appreciate the phytotoxic effects of acetic and butyric acids on growth of rice Oryza saliva L. cv. BR IRGA 409) seedlings cultivated in nutrient solution. The treatments consisted of addiction of acetic and butyric acids to the nutrient media to make 0.0, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 mM concentrations at three pH levels (4.0, 5.0 and 6.0). Seedlings were grown in growth chamber at 26 ± 2°C and 6 Klux light intensity with twelve hours of light and dark periods. Butyric acid was more toxic to plants than acetic acid irrespectively of acid concentration and pH. Acetic acid reduced root area expansion by 55%, and butyric acid reduced it by 78%. At 1.0 mM, acetic acid had no effect on the dry weight of roots, whereas at the same concentration butyric acid reduced root dry weight by 78%. At 10 mM, both acetic and butyric acid had the same effects in reducing the growth at root and shoots. Increasing pH from 4.0 to 6.0 alleviated the toxic effects of the acids, and linearly stimulated growth of roots and shoots.