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Magnetic field is a variable abiotic factor, like temperature, air, soil and water that interacts with the living organisms. The use of different types of magnetic field at many different plant species is increasing and the results are promising. A two-year field experiment was established following a completely randomized design, to investigate the effect of pre-sowing magnetic field treatment for 0, 15, 30 and 45 min on three broad bean varieties. The obtained results showed that the treatment of seeds with pulsed electromagnetic field increased germination percentage, chlorophyll content, leaf area, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and dry weight. In general, the exposure of seeds for 15 min, gave the highest values compared to the control treatments for the three varieties used. A very interesting result is the fact that although there was an influence of the exposure of magnetic field on the dry weight of the plants, there was not a positive or a negative influence on the seed yield for both years. This means that magnetic field enhanced the vegetative development of the broad beans, but it had no effect on the reproductive development. The results indicate that magnetic field can be used in the cases that the productive direction of the cultivation of broad beans is for livestock forage and silage, as the pre-sowing treatment of seeds had a positive effect on plant dry weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have focused their efforts on the use of magnetic field as a pre-sowing method, as it is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly technique. This study provides a holistic approach of an agricultural cultivation that can lead to the comprehension of the exact mechanism of magnetic field effect on plant and lead to the appropriate application of magnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic field was used for 0, 15, 30 and 45 min as a pre-sowing treatment in durum wheat seeds in a field experiment for three years. The experiment followed a completely randomized design, with four treatments (Control, MF-15, MF-30 and MF-45), two cultivars and three replications. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of magnetic field exposure on durum wheat seeds, covering a complete range of agronomic characteristics. The results obtained in this three-year experiment showed a positive impact of pulsed electromagnetic field, in durum wheat cultivation. Magnetic field has been found to enhance germination, tillering, dry weight, leaf area, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and yield of two durum wheat cultivars. Duration of 30 and 45 min of pre-sowing magnetic field treatment gave the best results. Regarding yield measurement, all magnetic field treatments (MF-15, MF-30 and MF-45) gave statistically significantly higher values compared to control. In addition, α-amylase activity measurements showed that magnetic field affects enzymes and this could possibly explain the improved germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-sowing treatment of pulsed electromagnetic fields was used in corn seeds, in both indoor and outdoor conditions, in order to investigate the effect on plant growth and yield. The results of this research showed that pulsed electromagnetic fields can enhance plant characteristics, both under controlled environmental conditions and uncontrolled field conditions. The two varieties responded differently in the duration of magnetic field. Seeds were treated for 0, 15, 30, and 45 min with pulsed electromagnetic field ( MF-0, MF-15, MF-30, and MF-45). Common corn variety performed better results in MF-30 treatment, while sweet corn variety performed better in MF-45 treatment. Magnetic field improved germination percentage, vigor, chlorophyll content, leaf area, plant fresh and dry weight, and finally yields. In the very interesting measurement of yield, seeds that have been exposed to magnetic field for 30 and 45 min have been found to perform the best results with no statistical differences among them. Another interesting finding was in root dry weight measurements, where magnetic field has a negative impact in MF-30 treatment in both hybrids, however without affecting other measurements. Enhancements on plant characteristics with economic impact on producer's income could be the future of a modern, organic, and sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two different pre-sowing techniques have been investigated for their influence in an important industrial plant, namely cotton. Priming methods are very useful for agricultural practices because they improve crop seedling establishment, especially when environmental conditions are not optimum. Pulsed electromagnetic fields have been found to promote germination and improve early growth characteristics of cotton seedlings. Such priming techniques are especially valuable in organic cultivation, where chemical compounds are prohibited. PEG treatment showed an enhancement in some measurements, however in some cases the results were not statistically different compared to control plants. In addition, PEG treatment is a sophisticated method that is far from agricultural practices and farmers. In this research, two different ages of seeds were used (1- and 2-year-old) in order to investigate the promotory effects of priming techniques. Magnetic field treatment of 15 min was found to stimulate germination percentage and to promote seeds, resulting in 85% higher values than control seeds under real field conditions. Furthermore, seeds that were treated with magnetic field performed better in terms of early-stage measurements and root characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]