Effect of low frequency magnetic field (LFMF) on seed quality of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds

Abstract

In recent years, the application of magnetism in agriculture has been paid more and more attention to, especially in the field of its treatment on the seed germination and physiological indexes of seedlings grown out of them. In this experiment, the radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds of two cultivars ‘Carmen’ and ‘Szkarłatna z Bialym Końcem’ were treated by 20 mT low frequency magnetic field (LFMF) for 10, 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. The MF was generated from a Viofor JPS Delux - a patented device adopted from the routine medical magnetic therapy. By measuring their seed germination rate (energy), seedling length and fresh weight, it was proved that LFMF improved the seed quality of both radish cultivars and the best results were received for the longest exposing time. The received that way results were similar as reported for priming of radish seeds. The developed treatment has a great potential in replacing traditional seed priming methods. Flowever, for its commercial use, for selected crops and cultivars, further research is still needed.