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Exposure of seeds to static magnetic field enhances germination and early growth characteristics in chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L. )
Author(s) -
Vashisth Ananta,
Nagarajan Shantha
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/bem.20426
Subject(s) - seedling , germination , bioelectromagnetics , agronomy , membrane integrity , dry weight , horticulture , moisture , biology , magnetic field , chemistry , physics , genetics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , membrane
Seeds of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) were exposed in batches to static magnetic fields of strength from 0 to 250 mT in steps of 50 mT for 1–4 h in steps of 1 h for all fields. Results showed that magnetic field application enhanced seed performance in terms of laboratory germination, speed of germination, seedling length and seedling dry weight significantly compared to unexposed control. However, the response varied with field strength and duration of exposure without any particular trend. Among the various combinations of field strength and duration, 50 mT for 2 h, 100 mT for 1 h and 150 mT for 2 h exposures gave best results. Exposure of seeds to these three magnetic fields improved seed coat membrane integrity as it reduced the electrical conductivity of seed leachate. In soil, seeds exposed to these three treatments produced significantly increased seedling dry weights of 1‐month‐old plants. The root characteristics of the plants showed dramatic increase in root length, root surface area and root volume. The improved functional root parameters suggest that magnetically treated chickpea seeds may perform better under rainfed (un‐irrigated) conditions where there is a restrictive soil moisture regime. Bioelectromagnetics 29:571–578, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.