Static homogeneous magnetic field effects on germination and water absorption in soybean seeds

Abstract

We present the results of the study of the effect on germination and seed water absorption on soybean exposed to homogeneous magnetic field of 125 and 300 mT during 10, 20, and 60 minutes, using as magnetic sources an electromagnet with cylindrical cores (homogeneity of 98%) and a set of toroidal magnets (homogeneity of 88%). The results showed better response in using the electromagnet that provides greater homogeneity. In the germination was determined that the mean germination time (MGT) and times necessary to germinate 10%, 25%, 50%, and 75% significantly decreased relative to control, for treatments 125 mT-10 min and 300 mT-10 min. For the water absorption was observed that in treatments expressed better response in germination show a tendency to increase the capacity of water absorption during the first 6 hours after seeding, however no significant differences in the absorption with respect to the control were recorded.