Effects of Nonionic Surfactants on Root Growth and Cation Uptake

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A number of non-ionic surfactants were shown to repress the elongation of the primary root of cucumber seedlings at a concentration of 0.01% v/v. Higher concentrations of some surfactants proved more inhibitory, and depressed the development of root hairs and lateral roots. In general the fatty acid esters were less inhibitory to roots than those with ether or ether-alcohol structures. The relative lengths of young barley seedlings were altered by germination and growth in the presence of 0.01% v/v solutions of representative non-ionic surfactants. In some cases there was substantial stimulation of growth of one or more organs. K uptake by excised barley roots was repressed by low concentrations of Tween 20 and Tween 80. Prior to the use of non-ionic surfactants as an adjuvant in experimentation with roots or germinating seeds, it should first be established that the selected surfactant is without independent activity at the concentration used.