ABSTRACT Surfactants are often used in seed coatings to homogenise seed size and to protect seeds from injuries. Being near developing seeds surfactants may affect germination. Therefore the potential toxicity of different common surfactants on onion (Allium cepa) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds was evaluated. Anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate and Aerosol 22) and non-ionic surfactants (Triton X100, Brij35, Tween 80 and Glucopone 600) were tested at 0.65, 6.5 and 32.5 g L−1. Seed germination, defined as seeds with a root > 3 mm, root length, fresh and dry weight of emerged plantlets were measured. In general, the highest surfactant concentration totally inhibited seed germination. Sodium dodecyl sulfate was the most hazardous while Tween 80 for onion and Brij35 for both plant seeds were the least phytotoxic compounds. Both non-ionic surfactants and Aerosol 22 were the recommended compounds for onion and lettuce seed coating at low concentrations (< 0.65 g L−1).

中文翻译：

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不同表面活性剂对两种园艺作物发芽和根系伸长的影响：对种衣的影响

摘要 表面活性剂通常用于种子包衣，以均匀种子大小并保护种子免受伤害。接近正在发育的种子表面活性剂可能会影响发芽。因此，评估了不同常见表面活性剂对洋葱 (Allium cepa) 和生菜 (Lactuca sativa) 种子的潜在毒性。阴离子（十二烷基硫酸钠和气溶胶 22）和非离子表面活性剂（Triton X100、Brij35、吐温 80 和 Glucopone 600）在 0.65、6.5 和 32.5 g L-1 下进行了测试。测量种子萌发，定义为根 > 3 mm 的种子、根长、出苗苗的鲜重和干重。一般而言，最高表面活性剂浓度完全抑制种子萌发。十二烷基硫酸钠是最危险的，而洋葱的吐温 80 和两种植物种子的 Brij35 是最低的植物毒性化合物。