Static Electromagnetic Field (Emf) of Low Frequency Enhances Seed Germination and Plant Growth at Early Stages of Development

Abstract

Magnetic fields have influencedthe life and growth of organisms on this earth. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation is the designation for radiation with frequencies from 1-300 Hz and its influence on animal and human systems are found to be hazardous. On the contrary, low electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been found to increase the seed germination rates and accelerate the plant growth, protein biosynthesis and root development. The present study aims at determining the impacts of low electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures on seed germination rates and the plant growth phases. For the study, seeds of Pisum sativum, Zea mays, Solanum Lycopersicum, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Cajanus cajan were germinated at low electromagnetic fields (380 ± 20 µT). The control groups were kept away from the influence of low EMF while the test groups were germinated under the EMF influence. The observations of present study indicated a significant effect of EMF on germination rates and an enhanced growth period in the test groups. The pot studies were carried out to monitor the seedling growth. The growth rates for the test group seedlings were faster in comparison to the control group. The influence of EMF acting as a biostimulant displays a positive response on seed germination speeding up the germination rates leading to a faster and enhanced plant growth thus reducing the time period for growth leading to a faster crop yield.