THE RESPIRATORY ACTIVITY STUDY OF SEVERAL SOYBEAN VARIETIES USING CO 2 SENSORS
Ana BÎRSAN, Ion GANEA, Maria FRUNZĂ, Alina VLADINOVA, Universitatea de Stat din Moldova, Costel GUȚU, Maria IACUBUȚĂ, Centrul Național de Cercetare și Producere a Semințelor Silvia EVTODIEV, Didact Vega S.R.L.
Abstract
The respiratory activity of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.) seeds during the germination stage has been evaluated using CO2 sensors. Three indigenous soybean varieties: Aura, Viorela and Moldovita were selected for the
study. The respiratory activity was assessed by measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a gas mixture
using PASCO Technologies. Changes in CO2 levels were monitored using model PS-3208 wireless CO2 gas sensors.
The heightened respiratory activity in the Aura variety was positively correlated with greater thousand kernel weight,
higher germination energy and germination capacity of the seeds. The obtained CO2content data highlights the seeds’
ability to mobilize reserve materials during germination. This information can be valuable in elucidating differences
in the fundamental processes of seed germination among crop varieties, with consideration given to environmental
conditions.
Keywords: soybean, germination, respiratory activity, CO2 sensors.
