Influence of Static Magnetic Field Seed Treatments on the Morphological and the Biochemical Changes in Lentil Seedlings (Lens Culinaris Medik.)

Abstract

The static magnetic field has been shown to affect the growth and the biochemical composition of different plant species such as rice and wheat. In this study, lentil seeds were exposed to static magnetic field in a systematic way from low intensity to high intensity to test its effect on lentil growth. After that, the effective magnetic treatments that stimulated or inhibited the growth of lentil seedlings were tested for biochemical changes in lentil seedlings. Lentil seeds were first exposed to a static magnetic field of 1,10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 mT for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min. Then, the morphological changes in lentil seedlings were assessed. Some of the effective magnetic treatments were analyzed for the changes in lipid peroxidation and the activity of some antioxidant enzymes in lentil seedlings. The results showed that the effect of magnetic treatment on seedling growth is divided into three groups: growth improvement, growth inhibition and normal growth. Moreover, the magnetic treatment (50 mT for 30 min) that inhibited seedling growth showed a high level of oxidative stress in terms of lipid peroxidation (42.6 μmole malondialdhyde (MDA)/ g fresh mass compared to 20.20 μmole/ g fresh mass of the control). Whereas, the magnetic treatment (20 mT for 20 min) that improved the seedling growth showed the lowest level of lipid peroxidation (5.29 μmole malondialdhyde (MDA)/ g fresh mass compared to 20.20 μmole/ g fresh mass of the control). The magnetic treatment 20 mT for 25 min enhanced lentil growth without a significant lipid peroxidation but showed a significant increase in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase 0.57 and 1.09 unit/ mg protein compared to 0.15 an 0.40 unit/ mg protein of the control, respectively. Hence, the priming of lentil seeds with the right magnetic treatment could be an efficient, affordable, and eco-friendly approach for the enhancement of lentil growth.