Results of preliminary laboratory studies after pre-sowing electric treatment of pea seeds

Abstract

In many countries, the possibilities for stimulation of the sowing qualities and yield of cultivars after pre-sowing electric treatment of their seeds have already been identified. At the University of Ruse, Bulgaria, for more than 20 years studies have been conducted on the pre-sowing stimulation of the sowing qualities of seeds of various agricultural crops that are subjected to pre-sowing electromagnetic treatment. This article discusses the preliminary results of pre-sowing electric (electromagnetic and electrostatic) treatment of pea seeds. It has been established that after electro-magnetic or electrostatic pre-sowing treatment it is possible to obtain a stimulant effect on pea seeds. This effect takes place after 14 days of rest from treatment to sowing, and with the other controllable factors has following values: - for the three-step electromagnetic treatment initial value of the applied voltage is U1 = 4 kV, and duration of treatment τ1 = 5 s; - for the electrostatic treatment voltage is U = 6 kV, and duration of treatment τ = 70 s. The treatment applied to pea seeds leads to an increase in the germination capacity by 2,6%, in the length of the sprouts by up to 5,5% and of the rootlets by up to 18,6%, and increase in the mass of the plants by 6,9% as compared to the reference specimen.