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Annual Research & Review in Biology
6(6): 390-400, 2015, Article no.ARRB.2015.098
ISSN: 2347-565X
SCIENCEDOMAIN international
www.sciencedomain.org
Magnetic Field Can Improve Germination Potential
and Early Seedling Vigor of Cabbage Seeds
Khurram Ziaf
1*
, Muhammad Amjad
1
, Asmat Batool
1
, Zia-Ul-Haq
2
and Sobia Saleem
1
1
Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
2
Department of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Authors’ contributions
This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. All authors read and approved the final
manuscript
Article Information
DOI: 10.9734/ARRB/2015/15654
Editor(s):
(1) George Perry, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA.
Reviewers:
(1) Anonymous,
Bulgaria.
(2) Anonymous,
Mexico.
(3) Anonymous,
Malaysia.
(4) Anonymous,
Pakistan.
Complete Peer review History:
http://www.sciencedomain.org/review-history.php?iid=865&id=32&aid=8401
Received 9
th
December 2014
Accepted 7
th
February 2015
Published 12
th
March 2015
ABSTRACT
The effect of magnetic field strengths (5, 10 and 15 mT) for 15, 25 and 35 min, on seed
germination, vigor and seedling growth of two cabbage cultivars (Golden Acre and Green Ball) was
evaluated through germination test. Higher germination percentage and vigor index was recorded
in Golden Acre as compared to Green Ball. Seeds of both cultivars exposed to 5 mT and/or 10 mT
exhibited improved uniformity in germination and membrane integrity due to reduction in time taken
to 50% germination, mean germination time and electrical conductivity of seed leachates in
contrast to control. Cabbage cultivar Golden Acre and Green Ball showed higher vigor and seedling
fresh weight in response to magnetic field of 5 and 10 mT, respectively for both 15 and 25 minutes
durations. Moreover, efficiency of each magnetic dose declined with increase in exposure time,
particularly when seed were exposed to 15 mT. Results revealed significance of magnetic field
treatment to improve seed germination (both percentage and uniformity), vigor and seedling growth
of cabbage.
Original Research Article
Ziaf et al.; ARRB, 6(6): 390-400, 2015; Article no.ARRB.2015.098
391
Keywords: Brassica oleracea var. capitata; seed invigoration; germination indices; vigour indices.
1. INTRODUCTION
Germination, growth, and yield of crops are
determined by various factors, the vigor of seeds
is probably the first and foremost among those
factors. Vigorous seeds ensure rapid and uniform
germination, the field emergence is high and
uniform, even under adverse environmental
conditions. Thus, high quality seeds ensure
uniform crop stand and crop maturity, a desirable
feature in production of vegetable crops [1]. Seed
vigor can be enhanced by several pre-sowing
treatments which involve different types of
priming [2], seed humidification [3], exposure to
electric field, magnetic field (MF), laser radiation
and microwave radiation [4,5]. The seed
treatments with biophysical methods are
comparatively cost effective and can significantly
improve the yield without adversely affecting the
environment because these treatments are free
of toxic residues. They influence the
physiological and biochemical processes in the
seeds, possibly by increasing the concentration
of free radicals as well as activity of enzymes
and thereby contribute to improve vigor and crop
stand [6].
The useful effects observed on seedlings
exposed to magnetic field depend on the specific
conditions applied such as time of exposure,
magnetic field strength and frequency [7]. The
magnetic field is believed to influence the
structures of cell membranes and in this way
increases their permeability and ion transport
through the ion channels, which then affects
various metabolic activities [8]. Magnetic
treatment has been supposed to improve seed
vigor by affecting the biochemical processes that
provoke the activity of enzymes, which control
the particular stages of seed germination [9]. It
also increases protein formation needed to
speed up growth processes in seeds of
vegetables, fruits and cereals [10]. The
magnetically treated seedlings show high rate of
shoot and root growth, which ultimately result in
improved yield in marigold [3], maize [11],
peas[12] and broccoli[13]. But, higher magnetic
field strength and long duration of exposure had
negative effects [14].
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) is a
leafy green winter vegetable crop. It is a rich
source of vitamin C (36.6 mg per 100 g of
cabbage) and calcium (40 mg per 100 g of
cabbage). It also contains appreciable quantity of
glutamine that has anti-inflammatory effect. Each
100 g of cabbage provides 103 kJ energy [15].
Previously, it has been observed that seed
germination percentage in cabbage vary from
variety to variety and within varieties in different
seed lots [16]. Therefore, it was hypothesized
that seed germination, vigor and early seedling
growth of cabbage can be enhanced by using
seeds treated with magnetic field as recorded
earlier for broccoli [13].
The aim of this study was to examine the
germination and early seedling growth of two
cabbage cultivars in response to seed stimulation
with magnetic field of different strengths and
durations.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Plant Material
The seed of two cultivars of cabbage (Brassica
oleracea var. capitata), namely Golden Acre and
Green Ball, which were used and had uniform in
size and shape were purchased from a
registered (Siddique, Sons) seed corporation.
Seed moisture contents were determined before
seed treatment using seed moisture meter
(GMK-503A, G-Won Hitech Co., Ltd, Korea). The
initial moisture content was 7% for Golden Acre
and 9% for Green Ball.
2.2 Electro-magnetic Seed Stimulator
Seeds of both cultivars were placed in an
Electromagnetic seed stimulator for seed
treatment as described by [17]. The electro-
magnet consisted of two pairs of cylindrical coils,
each formed by 4,000 mm turns of 0.42 mm
enameled copper wire (Fig. 1). Each pair of coil
was wounded 10 cm apart on an iron bar
(dimensions 40 x 3.5 cm). The two bars were
placed one above the other, their ends held by
metallic supports. The coils were connected in
series and fed through a power source of 220
volts containing 50 Hz full wave rectified
sinusoidal voltage. When electric current passed
through the coils, magnetic field was generated
in the air space between the two bars. The field
generated in the air space between the two bars
measured by magnetic flux meter ELWF (model
No. 853396) with the help of probe. The seeds
(about 400-
500) were placed in Petri dish (9 cm
diameter) without any support on the pole of
electromagnet.
Seeds of two cultivars of ca
were treated with magnetic field strengths of 5,
10, and 15 mT for 15, 25 and 35 minutes in all
possible combinations viz
., 0mT for 0 min (T
untreated seeds), 5 mT for 15 min (T
25 min (T
3
), 5 mT for 35 min (T
4
), 10 mT for 15
min (T
5
), 10 mT for 25 min (T
6
), 10 mT for 35 min
(T
7
), 15 mT for 15 min (T
8
),15 mT for 25 min (T
and 15 mT for 35 min (T
10
).
2.3 Germination Test
After seed treatment, germination test was
carried out according to International Seed
Testing Association [18].
Thirty seeds were
placed on double layer of an autoclaved filter
paper, soaked with 3 mL of distilled water, in
sterilized Petri dishes (9 cm). Petri dishes were
placed in an incubator at 23±2º
C. Seeds were
considered as germinated when radicle was at
leas
t 2 mm in length. The germination data was
taken on daily basis up to 7 days. From this
germination data, mean germination time [19],
time taken to 50% germination (T
germination index [21] were also calculated.
7 days, data was recorded
for final seed
germination (%), shoot and root length (cm),
fresh and dry weight of seedling (mg) and vigor
index
[22]. Vigour index (VI) was calculated as:
VI = Final germination (%) × Total seedling
Fig. 1
Germination index (GI) was calculated
GI = .
Ziaf et al.; ARRB, 6(6): 390-
400, 2015; Article no.
392
500) were placed in Petri dish (9 cm
diameter) without any support on the pole of
Seeds of two cultivars of ca
bbage
were treated with magnetic field strengths of 5,
10, and 15 mT for 15, 25 and 35 minutes in all
., 0mT for 0 min (T
1
;
untreated seeds), 5 mT for 15 min (T
2
), 5 mT for
), 10 mT for 15
), 10 mT for 35 min
),15 mT for 25 min (T
9
)
After seed treatment, germination test was
carried out according to International Seed
Thirty seeds were
placed on double layer of an autoclaved filter
paper, soaked with 3 mL of distilled water, in
sterilized Petri dishes (9 cm). Petri dishes were
C. Seeds were
considered as germinated when radicle was at
t 2 mm in length. The germination data was
taken on daily basis up to 7 days. From this
germination data, mean germination time [19],
time taken to 50% germination (T
50
) [20] and
germination index [21] were also calculated.
After
for final seed
germination (%), shoot and root length (cm),
fresh and dry weight of seedling (mg) and vigor
[22]. Vigour index (VI) was calculated as:
VI = Final germination (%) × Total seedling
length (cm).
Mean germination time (MGT) was
calculated
according to the following equation:
n
Dn
MGT
Where n is the number of seeds, which were
germinated on day D, and D is the number of
days counted from the beginning of germination.
The time taken to 50 percent germination [T
was calcula
ted according to the following
formula:
ij
ji
i
nn
tn
N
tT
(
2
50
Where N is final number of germinated seeds
and n
i
, n
j
are the cumulative number of seeds
germinated by adjacent seed count at times t
and t
j
, respectively.
2.4 Electrical Conductivity Test
To determine membrane damage, the electrical
conductivity (EC) test was conducted according
to the recommendations of
Association of Official
Seed Analysts [22]. Fifty
seeds from each
treatment were replicated four times and were
soaked in 20 mL deionized water for 24 h at
Fig. 1
. Electromagnetic seed stimulator
Germination index (GI) was calculated
by using the following formulae:
+ − − − − − − − − + .
Air Space
Pole of Electromagnet
Cylindrical Coils
400, 2015; Article no.
ARRB.2015.098
Mean germination time (MGT) was
according to the following equation:
Where n is the number of seeds, which were
germinated on day D, and D is the number of
days counted from the beginning of germination.
The time taken to 50 percent germination [T
50
]
ted according to the following
i
t
)
Where N is final number of germinated seeds
are the cumulative number of seeds
germinated by adjacent seed count at times t
i
2.4 Electrical Conductivity Test
(µS /cm)
To determine membrane damage, the electrical
conductivity (EC) test was conducted according
Association of Official
seeds from each
treatment were replicated four times and were
soaked in 20 mL deionized water for 24 h at
Air Space
Pole of Electromagnet
Cylindrical Coils
Ziaf et al.; ARRB, 6(6): 390-400, 2015; Article no.ARRB.2015.098
393
23±2ºC. Electrical conductivity of the leachates
was measured with the help of digital
conductivity meter (CM-14P, TOA, Electronics
Ltd.).
2.5 Statistical Analysis
The experiment was laid out according to
Completely Randomized Design with two factor
factorial arrangements. There were 10
treatments and each treatment was replicated
four times. The data were collected and analyzed
using the analysis of variance techniques in the
Co-Stat software and significance among
treatment means was compared using Duncan’s
Multiple Range test.
3. RESULTS
Magnetic field treatments of seed significantly
changed the germination of two cabbage
cultivars (Table 1). Seed vigour of cultivar
Golden Acre was better than Green Ball as
depicted from results of all the parameters (Table
2). Exposure of seeds to magnetic field of
various strengths improved final germination
percentage of both cabbage cultivars i.e. for GA
(84.72%) and GB (58.18%) as compared to
control (untreated seeds); exposure to 10 mT for
35 minutes showed maximum final germination
percentage (76.71%) but, was statistically similar
to germination in response to several other
combinations of magnetic field strength and
duration (5mT for 15,25 and 35 min; 10 mT for
15, 25 and 35 min; 15 mT for 15, 25 and 35 min)
for both cultivars GA and GB (Table 3).
Germination index was high when seeds were
exposed to 5mT for 25 or 35 minutes and 10 mT
for 35 minutes. Seedling dry weight was
maximum while electrical conductivity (EC) of
seed leachates was minimum in seeds exposed
to 5 or 10 mT for 35 minutes (Table 2).
Analysis of variance revealed interactive effect of
cultivar and various magnetic seed treatment
were significant for mean germination time
(MGT), time taken to 50% germination (T
50
),
vigor index (VI), radicle and plumule length, and
fresh weight of seedlings (Table 1).Seeds of both
cabbage cultivars exposed to 5 mT magnetic
field for 15 and 35 minutes showed significant
reduction in MGT and T
50
values, respectively
(Table 3). While, delayed germination as
indicated by higher MGT and T
50
values were
recorded in untreated seeds of both cabbage
cultivars. Radicle length of cabbage cultivar
Golden Acre was increased (47% and 43%) by
exposing seeds to 5 mT (for 15 and 25 minutes,
respectively) over the control (Table 3). While,
exposure of 10 mT for 15 minutes resulted in
34% increase in radicle length of Green Ball
seedlings as compared to untreated seeds.
Exposure of seeds to 5 mT for 15 and 35
minutes enhanced plumule length by 75% and
25% in cabbage cultivar Golden Acre and Green
Ball, respectively, in comparison with control.
Fresh weight of Golden Acre seedling was
maximum (60.7 mg) in response to 15 mT for 15
minutes while that of Green Ball was highest
(42.2 mg) in response to magnetic field treatment
of 5 mT for 25 minutes and 10 mT for 25 and 35
minutes. Seedlings grown from untreated seeds
of both cultivars had minimum weight (Table 3).
Vigour index of Golden Acre was maximum in
response to magnetic field of 5 mT strength for
15 and 25 minutes while Green Ball exhibited
highest vigor index after exposure to 10 mT for
25 minutes.
The interactive effect of cultivar and magnetic
field treatments were non-significant for final
germination percentage, germination index,
seedling dry weight and electrical conductivity
(EC) of seed leachates (Table 1).
To have a more clear insight of the positive or
negative effect of various seed magnetic
treatments, per cent change in values of different
parameters was calculated for mean germination
time (MGT), time taken to 50% germination (T
50
)
(Fig. 2), vigour index (VI), radicle and plumule
length, and fresh weight of seedlings. The
percent change in values of all these parameters
depicted positive effects of all magnetic field
treatments in cabbage cultivar Green Ball, except
plumule length that was 2.3% reduced in
response to 15 mT for 35 minutes (Fig. 3).
Cabbage cultivar Golden Acre maximum percent
increase in radicle and plumule length (Fig. 2)
and vigor index (Fig. 4) at 5 mT for 15 minutes
while seedling fresh weight at 15 mT for 15
minutes (Fig. 4). Long duration exposure to high
magnetic field strength reduced radicle and
plumule length, and vigor index in cabbage
cultivar Golden Acre in comparison with control.
Ziaf et al.; ARRB, 6(6): 390-400, 2015; Article no.ARRB.2015.098
394
Table 1. Analysis of variance for seed germination, vigor and seedling parameters of cabbage cultivars in response to magnetic field strengths
a
Source of variation
Degrees of
freedom
FGP
MGT
T
50
GI
VI
Plumule
length
Radicle
length
FW
DW
EC
Cultivar (C)
1 14123.82* 2.13* 4.56* 7815.08* 2643085* 59.85* 18.43* 27011.25* 1980.05* 2814.37*
Seed treatment (T)
9 202.88* 0.09* 0.32* 95.10* 84955.09* 3.34* 1.345* 42822.36* 166.02* 391.05*
C × T
9 111.03
n.s
0.05* 0.17* 57.78
n.s
58628.56* 1.73* 1.03* 18133.47* 47.91
n.s
16.12
n.s
Error
CV
60
70.28
11.73
0.01
3.06
0.01
6.93
41.53
9.9
5389.02
7.30
0.11
7.96
0.12
7.65
6562.08
9.46
43.60
26.71
8.54
9.0
FGP= Final Germination Percentage, MGT= Mean Germination Time, T50= Time Taken to 50% Germination, GI= Germination Index, VI= Vigor Index, FW= Fresh Weight,
DW= Dry Weight, EC= Electrical Conductivity, a = Mean squares for different parameters, *= significant at 5% probability level, n.s= non-significant at 5% probability level
Table 2. Individual effect of cultivars and magnetic field strengths on final germination (%), germination index, dry weight and electrical
conductivity
Factors/levels
Final germination (%)
Germination index
Dry weight (mg)
Electrical conductivity (µS/cm)
Cultivars (C)
Golden acre 84.72a 41.00a 2.95a 7.98b
Green ball 58.18b 21.24b 1.94b 19.85a
Magnetic field treatments (MF)
Control
58.97b
30.71ab
2.75a-c
33.37a
5 mT for 15 min 72.01a 25.92b 2.17cd 12.50bc
5 mT for 25 min 73.73a 35.10a 2.41b-d 9.87c
5 mT for 35 min 72.56a 35.30a 1.93d 10.00c
10 mTfor 15 min 72.01a 29.90ab 2.51a-d 13.43b
10 mT for 25 min 71.10a 33.60a 2.08d 12.50bc
10 mT for 35 min 76.71a 34.10a 3.01a 9.87c
15 mT for 15 min 76.35a 31.20ab 2.81ab 11.50bc
15 mT for 25 min 73.07a 30.00ab 2.38b-d 14.00b
15 mT for 35 min 68.11a 25.90b 2.38b-d 12.12bc
Critical value for comparison
3.74 6.44 6.60 2.92
Ziaf et al.; ARRB, 6(6): 390-400, 2015; Article no.ARRB.2015.098
395
Table 3. Uniformity of germination, radical and plumule length and weight of seedlings of two cabbage cultivars in response to magnetic field
treatments
Cultivars
Magnetic field treatments
MGT (days)
T
50
(days)
Vigor index
Radicle length
(cm)
Plumule length
(cm)
Fresh weight
(mg)
Golden acre Control 4.4b-f 1.4de 520.3d 2.8b-d 3.9e-g 25.5ef
5 mT for 15 min 4.2f 1.3ef 975.5a 4.1a 6.9a 47.5bc
5 mT for 25 min 4.3ef 1.2f 956.3a 4.2a 6.4a 47.5bc
5 mT for 35 min 4.3ef 1.2f 800.6b 3.8a 5.2b 29.0d-f
10 mT for 15 min 4.4 c-f 1.3ef 715.7b 3.2b 5.0bc 36.2c-e
10 mT for 25 min 4.4b-f 1.3ef 737.3b 3.1bc 6.6a 34.2c-f
10 mT for 35 min 4.3d-f 1.2f 688.0bc 3.1bc 5.0bc 41.2b-d
15 mT for 15 min 4.3ef 1.2f 598.6cd 2.3d-f 4.5cd 60.7a
15 mT for 25 min 4.3b-f 1.2f 561.4d 2.2ef 4.2de 40.2b-d
15 mT for 35 min 4.3 d-f 1.3ef 397.6d 2.1ef 4.1d-f 52.0ab
Green ball
Critical value for
comparison
Control 5.1a 2.7a 241.4f 1.9f 3.1ij 22.5f
5 mT for 15 min 4.7a 1.7bc 347.0ef 2.1ef 3.8e-h 38.7b-d
5 mT for 25 min 4.5 a-d 1.7b 325.2ef 2.1ef 3.5g-j 42.2b-d
5 mT for 35 min 4.6 a-c 1.5cd 337.4ef 2.1ef 3.9e-g 39.0b-d
10 mT for 15 min 4.6a 1.7bc 376.0e 2.6c-e 3.6f-i 38.7b-d
10 mT for 25 min 4.6ab 1.6bc 394.6e 2.2ef 3.6f-i 42.2b-d
10 mT for 35 min 4.5 abcd 1.6bc 335.2ef 2.0ef 3.3h-j 42.2b-d
15 mT for 15 min 4.6ab 1.7bc 348.2ef 2.1ef 3.3h-j 39.5b-d
15 mT for 25 min 4.5 a-e 1.6bc 289.3ef 2.0f 3.5g-j 33.0d-f
15 mT for 35 min 4.6 a-c
0.13
1.6bc
0.10
321.6ef
73.42
2.1ef
0.35
3.0j
0.34
39.2b-d
81.01
MGT = Mean Germination Time; T
50
= Time taken to 50% germination
Ziaf et al.; ARRB, 6(6): 390-400, 2015; Article no.ARRB.2015.098
396
Fig. 2. Percent change (+/-) in mean germination time (upper graph) and time taken to 50%
germination (lower graph) of two cabbage cultivars in response to various magnetic field
treatments
4. DISCUSSION
Rapid germination increases the chance of
seedlings survival and helps the seedlings to
grow normally even under adverse soil and
environmental conditions [16,1]. Both, magnetic
and electromagnetic field treatments of the seeds
have been reported to enhance seed germination,
seedling growth rate and ultimately the yield.
Therefore, the effect of magnetic field of various
strength and exposure duration was analyzed on
seed germination and vigor indices of two
cabbage cultivars. The two cultivars differed in
their viability and vigour; cultivar Golden Acre
(GA) was superior as compared to cultivar Green
Ball (GB). This difference in viability and vigor
was helpful in assessing the impact of magnetic
seed treatment on the performance of seeds. In
general, magnetic seed treatments improved all
germination indices final germination percentage
(FGP), germination index (GI), time taken to 50%
germination (T
50
) and mean germination time
(MGT) of cabbage seeds [23] also reported
increased germination percentage of Satureja
bachtiarica seedlings in response to magnetic
seed treatment (1 mT for 2 h). But, magnetic
treatments at low strength for various durations
and high strength for short duration improved
seed germination while, high field strength and
longer duration negatively affected seed
germination. The improved germination in
response to low strength and short duration can
be attributed to earlier activation of enzymes in
breakdown of stored reserves [12] and thus
ensuring the supply of these reserves to the
germinating embryo. While longer duration of
exposure and high strength might have
generated free radicals or otherwise have slowed
down the enzymatic activity, which need to be
assessed [12] also reported decline in
emergence percentage and emergence index of
pea seeds treated with strong magnetic field for
-14
-12
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
Golden
Acre
Green Ball
-50
-45
-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
Golden
Acre
Green Ball
longer duration
[13] also reported decline
ingermination of broccoli seed with increase in
strength of magnetic f
ield and duration of
exposure.
The results also indicate that cabbage cultivar
GA, which had high viability and vigor,
responded better to low magnetic field strength
(5 mT) for various exposure times. While,
cabbage cultivar GB showed better germination
and vigor,
when seeds were treated with 10 mT
for 15 to 25 min, although there was not too
much difference among various magnetic seed
treatments for different parameters
that maize seeds exposed to magnetic field (125
or 250 mT) for 20 min s
howed higher
germination percentage, shoot length, and
seedling fresh weight while T
50
and MGT was
reduced as compared to untreated seeds and
Fig. 3. Percent change (+/-
) in radicle (upper graph) and plumule (lower graph) length of two
cabbage cultivars in response to various magnetic field treatments
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Ziaf et al.; ARRB, 6(6): 390-400
, 2015; Article no.
397
[13] also reported decline
ingermination of broccoli seed with increase in
ield and duration of
The results also indicate that cabbage cultivar
GA, which had high viability and vigor,
responded better to low magnetic field strength
(5 mT) for various exposure times. While,
cabbage cultivar GB showed better germination
when seeds were treated with 10 mT
for 15 to 25 min, although there was not too
much difference among various magnetic seed
[14] observed
that maize seeds exposed to magnetic field (125
howed higher
germination percentage, shoot length, and
and MGT was
reduced as compared to untreated seeds and
seeds treated for longer durations (1 and 24 h).
Our results are also congruent with the findings
of [24] that 160
mT and 200 mT for 1 min
improved shoot length and dry weight and leaf
area of 28-day-
old tomato seedlings as
compared to control seedlings and those
exposed to longer durations (10, 15 and 20 min).
This increase in length of seedling might be due
to enhan
ced cell division in radicle [3] that
emerged earlier from seed coat started root
activity earlier than untreated seeds and
therefore, resulted in healthy seedlings, in terms
of weight, and finally increased vigor (Table
2).
This improvement in vigor of cabbage seeds
could be attributed to stimulation of biochemical
processes which
affect activities of various
metabolic pathways [9]
such as protein formation
[11] and
activation of enzymes [10].
) in radicle (upper graph) and plumule (lower graph) length of two
cabbage cultivars in response to various magnetic field treatments
Golden
Acre
, 2015; Article no.
ARRB.2015.098
seeds treated for longer durations (1 and 24 h).
Our results are also congruent with the findings
mT and 200 mT for 1 min
improved shoot length and dry weight and leaf
old tomato seedlings as
compared to control seedlings and those
exposed to longer durations (10, 15 and 20 min).
This increase in length of seedling might be due
ced cell division in radicle [3] that
emerged earlier from seed coat started root
activity earlier than untreated seeds and
therefore, resulted in healthy seedlings, in terms
of weight, and finally increased vigor (Table
s 1 &
This improvement in vigor of cabbage seeds
could be attributed to stimulation of biochemical
affect activities of various
such as protein formation
activation of enzymes [10].
) in radicle (upper graph) and plumule (lower graph) length of two
Golden
Acre
Ziaf et al.; ARRB, 6(6): 390-400, 2015; Article no.ARRB.2015.098
398
Fig. 4. Percent change (+/-) in seedling fresh weight (upper graph) and vigor index (lower
graph) of two cabbage cultivars in response to various magnetic field treatments
Magnetic treatments at low strength (5 and 10
mT), tested in this study, can be helpful in
improving crop stand by increasing early and
uniform germination (up to 22 to 30% more
germination than control) and seedling growth as
evidenced by up to 32%, 51%, 86% and 73%
increase in radicle length, plumule length,
seedling fresh weight and vigor of treated seeds
as compared to untreated seeds (Figs. 2, 3 and
4). This increase in germination and seedling
growth can help in reducing the quantity of seed
to be used as well as can yield earlier and better
than the crop raised without seed treatment.
Previously, [24] also reported 8-10%
improvement in germination due to magnetic
seed treatment and concluded that it could be
helpful to farmers for increasing yield and
reducing cost of production.
5. CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that exposure of cabbage
seeds to low (5 mT) and moderate (10 mT)
strength magnetic field can be helpful to improve
germination percentage, uniformity of
germination, seedling vigor and thus uniform
crop stand. Moreover, magnetic field exposure of
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160 Golden
Acre
Green Ball
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120 Golden
Acre
Green Ball
Ziaf et al.; ARRB, 6(6): 390-400, 2015; Article no.ARRB.2015.098
399
cabbage seeds should be based on initial
germination and vigor of seeds; less magnetic
field strength and exposure time should be used
for relatively high vigor seeds and long exposure
time at low to moderate magnetic field strength
for low vigor seeds. Biochemical processes, such
as lipid peroxidation, enzymes inactivation and
protein disintegration, involved in poor
germination, vigor and seedling growth in
response to longer duration of exposure and
higher magnetic field strength need to be
assessed.
COMPETING INTERESTS
Authors have declared that no competing
interests exist.
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