Purpose To investigate the regulatory effects of glucosylglycerol (GG) on the growth and development of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) at the seedling stage, providing a theoretical basis for further exploring its physiological roles in plants.
Methods Using the cucumber cultivar ‘Misi No. 43’ as experimental material, four volume fractions of GG (0.005%, 0.010%, 0.020%, and 0.050%) were applied in a hydroponic system. Growth indices were compared and analyzed.
Results Different volume fractions of GG exhibited distinct regulatory effects on cucumber growth. Low volume fractions (0.005% and 0.010%) promoted stem thickening and biomass accumulation without significantly affecting plant height. High volume fraction (0.050%) significantly inhibited growth parameters, including internode number, plant height, stem diameter, and seedling index. Medium volume fraction (0.020%) treatment significantly reduced plant height and average internode length by 46% and 61%, respectively, while other parameters such as stem diameter, internode number, chlorophyll content (SPAD value), and seedling index remained unaffected. Paraffin section analysis revealed that 0.020% and 0.050% GG treatments directly inhibited cell elongation in the upper, middle, and basal segments of the stem.
Conclusion Low volume fractions of GG promote growth but risk causing seedling overgrowth due to a lack of height control. Although high volume fraction GG can reduce plant height, it can also inhibit plant growth. 0.020% GG can reduce plant height by specifically inhibiting stem cell elongation while ensuring growth quality. It is the most suitable volume fraction for cultivating strong cucumber seedlings, providing a new method for plant type regulation of facility cucumber cultivation.
DownLoad: