Photosynthesis and biomass yield in Tabasco pepper, radish and maize subjected to magnetically treated water

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of magnetically treated water (MTW) on physiological parameters of three species: Tabasco pepper, red radish and yellow maize. Half of the plants per species were irrigated with normal tap water and the other half with tap water treated with a magnetic device. Photosynthesis, biomass, and mineral content (the latter only in Tabasco pepper fruits) were measured. All the species grown under MTW increased their photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. Fluorescence parameters as Fv/Fm and non-photochemical quenching remained unchanged among the species tested. In Tabasco pepper, MTW produced higher yield measured as aerial biomass, fruits per plant and leaf area; moreover, nitrogen and divalent cation content in fruits increased as well. In addition, there was a partial positive relation between leaf area and fruit yield (r2=0.52 for control and 0.30 for MTW). By contrast, there was an augment only in cob weight and grains per cob in maize plants, whereas radish plants showed a non-significant loss in total biomass. The higher biomass accumulation observed in Tabasco pepper and maize plants is attributed to a higher leaf area and/or carbon assimilation. Since chlorophyll fluorescence was unaffected, we propose that MTW does not trigger any change in the water-oxidizing complex of photosystem II (PSII). Moreover, the lack of response of several variables among the species tested showed that MTW might have interspecific effects. Despite the latter, this technology can be an alternative to improve crop yield, particularly in Tabasco pepper.