Vegetable Seedlings Production Under Seed Magnetization and Use of Magnetized Water

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seed magnetization (SM) and irrigation water (WI), using commercial (CO) and Neodymium (NEO) magnetizers, on the development of seedlings of lettuce, eggplant, cucumber, sweet pepper and okra. Method: The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with 5 treatments for each species, with 4 replications, being T1: irrigation with non-magnetized water; T2: SM-NEO + non-magnetized water; T3: SM-CO + non-magnetized water; T4: non-magnetized seeds + WI-NEO; and T5: non-magnetized seeds + WI-CO. The following were evaluated: emergence speed, emergence time, percentage of emergence, dry matter, root length, stem diameter, number of leaves and plant height. Result and conclusion: For lettuce, WI-NEO showed the best results and, for sweet pepper, SM-CO, irrigating with non-magnetized water. For cucumber, SM or WI provided a reduction in seedling formation time. For eggplant and okra, we recommended SM-NEO and irrigated with non-magnetized water. In general, seed magnetization caused better results than irrigation water magnetization. Implications of research: Quality seedlings produced in short time and at low cost are of great importance for the formation of vegetable crops. Originality/value: Seed magnetization and the use of magnetized water are innovative, low-cost technologies for producing seedlings of high vigor and quality.