Effect of Electric and Magnetic Field on Seed Germination

Abstract

Earth’s magnetic field is a natural component of the environment for living organisms and there is an electric field between clouds and the earth. All plants on the earth’s surface experience electric and magnetic fields. However, the role of electric and magnetic fields and their influence on plants is insufficiently understood. Presented work deals with the studies relating to pre-sowing electric and magnetic treatment on dry seeds and finding early germination parameters. Some statistical functions, which are used for cumulative germination along with their limitations, are described. Malthus-Verhulst function is used to find the germination rate coefficient. Its use along with its limitation is discussed in this chapter. Established models explain the thermal and hydro parameters related to seed's germination but fail to include the effect on magnetic field. Water absorption statistic is an important tool to understand basic germinating processes. Therefore, existing water models are discussed along with their limitations. It is found that no data analysis (regarding electric and magnetic treatment to seed) is available on the white gourd (Benincasa hispida), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia) seeds. Some data of magnetic-field treatment is available for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), mung bean and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), but the data is limited (a few magnetic values and a few exposure times) and not sufficient to reach at any conclusion relevant to the effect of electric and magnetic field on seed germination process. Literature review showed that research work available on the effect of the electric field on seed germination is limited. Very few researchers worked on the study of water uptake by the magnetically treated seeds, but no work has been done on the effects of water uptake by electrically treated seeds.This chapter highlighted the reports of bio-electric and bio-magnetic responses on the seeds and plants. To understand the impact of electric and magnetic field on seed germination a new model for water uptake is formulated electric field on seed germination. The seeds of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), Mung bean (Vigna Radiata), Bitter Gourd (Momordica Charantia), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), White gourd (Benincasa hispida), Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) and Maize (Zea mays L.) are pre-treated with low-level electric field and its effect on the germination are presented. The results of magnetic treatment are studied by measuring the water uptake by the seed and also by measuring germination capacity. Magnetic time model and water uptake model are tested for different species and is presented in this chapter. Magnetic time model is used to understand the results. Magnetically treated seeds showed a change in water uptake and germination capacity. In this chapter it is discussed that in future there is scope to investigate the seed microscopically to know the seed element which resonates or stimulates at some particular field level.