Effect of Pre-sowing Magnetic Field Treatment on Some Biochemical and Physiological Processes in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L. spp. Minor)

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to determine the changes in some biochemical and physiological processes, which occurred in seeds and seedlings of faba bean and to evaluate the germination dynamics and plant emergence after pre-sowing seeds treatment with a magnetic field. The study was carried out on Petri dishes in climatic chambers of the company HERAEUS (Germany). Each plate was lined with filter paper and 80 seeds of faba bean were sown. The paper was sprayed with the same amount of distilled water in each plate. Treatment of seeds significantly increased the activity of amylolytic enzymes in faba bean seeds and seedlings. The greatest differentiation in enzymatic activity between stimulated and nontreated seeds was noted after 96 h from the time of sowing. Seeds treated with the magnetic field showed greater dynamics of weight at the time of imbibition than nontreated seeds. Treating of seeds with a magnetic field considerably increased the amount of indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellic acid in germinating seeds, above-ground parts and in roots of faba bean seedlings. The pre-sowing treatment with a magnetic field had favorable effects on the growth and development of seedlings.