Preparados homeopáticos na germinação de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Abstract

The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of different homeopathic preparations on the germination and initial development of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings. Homeopathy is a vitalist medical or therapeutic system based in the principle of similitude, that can be classified among the phenomena of Hormesis - the name given to the stimulatory effects caused by low levels of potentially toxic agents. The homeopathic preparations used were Sulphur, Carbo vegetabilis, Arsenicum album, Phosphorus, Arnica montana, Nux vomica, Belladonna - all at 12CH, and distilled water as a control. The seeds were placed in “GERMITEST®” paper rolls, moistened with each of the homeopathic treatments and placed in a B.O.D. for nine days. The evaluations took place through the following parameters: germination percentage, shoot and root length and biomass dry and fresh weights. Bean seed treatment with pre-germinating homeopathic preparations showed that Arsenicum album and Phosphorus improved seed germination and vigor. Regarding the initial length of bean seedlings, the treatment Carbo vegetabilis had the highest average, but did not differ statistically from the control. Phosphorus CH 12 produced the longest root growth.being. The highest values observed in shoot and root biomass in fresh weight were with Arsenicum album treatments; however, dry biomass values did not differ statistically. Further and more detailed research should be done using other procedures for seed treatment with homeopathic preparations as well as acombination of the preparations.