Growth characteristics of maize seeds exposed to magnetic field

Abstract

Standardization of magnetic field was done for maximum enhancement in germination characteristics of maize seeds. Seeds of maize were exposed to static magnetic fields of strength 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 for 1, 2, 3, and 4 h for all field strengths. Results indicate that magnetic field application enhanced seed performance in terms of percentage germination, speed of germination, seedling length, and seedling dry weight significantly compared to unexposed control. Among the various combinations of field strength and duration, 200 mT for 1 h exposure gave best results. Exposure of seeds to magnetic fields improved seed coat membrane integrity as it reduced cellular leakage and, consequently, electrical conductivity. Experiments conducted at a research farm as well as farmer's field showed that plants raised from seeds exposed to 200 mT for 1 h had higher values of leaf area index, shoot length, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, shoot/root dry weight, and root characteristics as compared to corresponding values in untreated control. From the studies, it may be concluded that exposure of dry seeds to static magnetic field of 200 mT for 1 h improved shoot and root growth. Improved root system and biomass led to increased seed yield. Improved functional root parameters suggested that magnetically treated maize seeds could be used under moisture stress conditions. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:151-157, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Magnetic Field (MF) Applications in Plants: An Overview

“…HQPM-1) seeds, tomato seeds ( Solanum lycopersicum L. Var. MST/32), and radish ( Raphanus sativus L.) seeds by certain scholars [ 17 , 22 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Moreover, studies have also confirmed that the magnetically treated seeds grow higher and heavier than the control, and even increase water uptake [ 22 ].…”

“…Var: JS-335), corn ( Z. mays L. Var. HQPM-1), and tomato ( L. esculentum ) reported that pretreatment with MF induces greater plant resistance later under water stress conditions, suggesting that this efficiency is related to the improvement of the antioxidant system [ 26 , 37 , 80 ]. Shabrangi and Majd [ 81 ], investigating the effects of drought stress in lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.)…”

Germination of soybean seeds exposed to the static/alternating magnetic field and algal extract

“…Stimulation of plants (including their seeds) with high MF values is described in the literature and carries many other physiological effects (plant reactions in terms of growth, development, photosynthesis, and redox status) [22,30,54,[70][71][72]. Plant seeds were exposed to SMFs, typically from about 5 mT to several hundred mT for different exposure times [45,46,48,51,59,[73][74][75][76][77]. Different intensities of the alternating MF (from several μT to even several hundred mT) for germination of seeds and the growth of seedlings of bean or wheat seeds in various conditions were also examined [32][33][34]37,42,48,[78][79][80][81].…”

Influence of the Static Magnetic Field and Algal Extract on the Germination of Soybean Seeds

“…Most scientific papers conclude that the MF has a positive effect on better germination and plant growth, as well as on yield increase [32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. However, these works usually come down to the economic calculation.…”