Effectiveness of pulsed radio frequency in seed quality improvement of vegetable plant species

Abstract

The most significant problem, in ecological vegetable seed production, is low, capacity which is mainly caused by high rates of seed infection with fungi and a shortage of effective biological agents to eliminate pathogens. Therefore, proecological methods of seed quality enhancement are being researched, with the aim of increasing the profitability of seed production by improving the seed sowing value. The aim of the work was to evaluate the effectiveness of pulsed radio frequency on the seed quality of selected vegetable cultivars. The results obtained from research conducted in laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions indicate the protective effect of pulsed radio frequency treatment of seeds by a reduction in the incidence of beetroot, lettuce and garden dill seed-borne fungi, and an improvement in their health status and germination capacity. The presowing application of pulsed radio frequency resulted in a 60-80% reduction of seed infestation with fungi, depending on the plant species. This treatment improved the dynamics of seed germination, plant emergence, growth, and increased the chlorophyll content and gas exchange in leaves. The most beneficial results were obtained in beetroot, in which the problem of seed production is associated with a high rate of seed infestation with mycoflora and the presence of germination inhibitors in the seed coat. The results indicate the high efficiency of the applied pulsed radio frequency and its usefulness in ecological and integrated seed production.