OBTAINING OF BALSAMIC POPLAR EXTRACT AS BIOSTIMULANT FOR AGRICULTURAL PLANTS

Abstract

Modern varieties of agricultural plants have reached the limits of natural genetic variability in a few key parameters, and a further significant increase in their productivity and stress resistance using traditional approaches is extremely difficult. The use of biostimulants of various nature is considered as a promising way of sustainable development, allowing to increase yields without harmful effects on the environment. Plants are a source of a wide variety of biologically active substances (BAS), such as vitamins, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, polysaccharides (gums, mucus, pectins, inulin, fibre, starch), flavonoids, resins, essential and fatty oils, organic acids, phytoncides, pigments and others. An important argument in favour of obtaining biologically active substances from poplar is the environmental friendliness of such a solution, since a lot of unused waste (bark, branches, wood) is generated during the logging process. 
The purpose of this study is to find the optimal extraction conditions and to investigate the influence of balsamic poplar extract on the change in physiological and biological parameters, as well as the productivity of soybean, cucumber, and sugar beet seeds.

The qualitative composition of extracts from buds, twigs, catkins, and poplar wood processing waste has been determined. Among these extracts, the one from poplar wood processing waste is the most promising for further study due to its high content of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, amino acids, and polysaccharides. The optimal technological parameters for extracting these compounds have been identified, including the degree of grinding of the raw materials, the ratio of raw materials to extractant, the duration of extraction, and the concentration of the extractant. It has been found that the best extraction of flavonoids occurs when the raw materials are ground to a size of up to 15 mm and mixed with a ratio of 1:15 of raw materials to extractant for 36 hours using 96 % ethanol. 

The aftereffect of the application of the extract was traced in the ontogenesis of plants on the change in important physiological processes that influenced the productivity of products and their quality.