EFFECTS OF EPIN EXTRA, A SYNTHETIC ANALOGUE OF 24-EPIBRASSINOLIDE, ON STRESS RESISTANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF CUCUMBER PLANTS
Treatments of cucumber seeds and plants with EPIN-extra (a synthetic analogue of a steroid phytohormone 24-epibrassinolide) induced an increase of cold resistance and enhanced plant resistance to fungal pathogens causing root rot. Early and total yield of the plants treated with EPIN-extra was significantly higher compared to non-treated plants. Efficiency of combined treatment of plants with EPIN-extra and citovit has been demonstrated. The results suggest that exogenous application of EPIN-extra stimulates internal potentials of cucumber plants promoting survival under stressful conditions, enhancing the quality, and diminish disease damage. This is applicable in non-heated greenhouse cucumber production under the conditions of cool spring and early summer in northwestern Russia.