Magnetopriming enhance germination and seedling growth parameters of onion and lettuce seeds

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to improve seed quality by using magnetic field (MF) as a priming method to increase germination percentages (GP) and seedling emergence percentages (SEP) in onion and lettuce seeds. MF treatments on pre-hydrated seeds, significantly increased GP (up to 80% for onion, 87% for lettuce) and SEP (up to 76% for onion, 86% for lettuce) in both species. Magnetic treatments in other saying magnetopriming helped to increase germination and seedling emergence speed in treated seeds as well. The shortening of mean germination time allowed the treatments to establish uniform and well-developed seedlings. Our findings indicate that magnetopriming could be used as a pre-germination treatment before sowing.