A b s t r a c t. The impact of a variable magnetic field, magnetically treated water and a combination of both these factors on the germination of seeds and the final mass at the initial stage of growth sunflower plants was presented. Investigations were carried out in pots filled with sand, tin an air-conditioned plant house with no access to daylight using fluorescent light as illumination. A statistical significance positive impact was achieved for the samples subjected to the interaction of both stimulating factors simultaneously, the magnetic field and the impact of treated water several times on the speed of seed germination and final plant mass. Negative impacts were obtained for the majority of the test cases, for the magnetically treated water, the short duration of activity of the magnetic field and for the connection of the magnetic field and low-flow times.K e y w o r d s: seed stimulation, magnetic field, magnetically treated water

The influence of stimulation with He-Ne laser light, alternating magnetic field and the combination of these factors on germination parameters of amaranth seeds and on the chlorophyll and carotenoid content in seedlings was investigated. During the stimulation the amaranth seeds had a different initial moisture content. From the germination characteristics of the seeds as the function of humidity, three maxima and one minimum value of the germination parameters (the relative germination capacity NK REL, the relative maximum germination rate SK MAX REL and the maximum germination index WK MAX) were obtained. In the majority of cases, the extremities coincided with the changes in the chlorophyll and carotenoid content in the seedlings. The presented research is innovative in the field of seed biology since no similar studies have been conducted before. It is difficult to interpret the results referring to the literature on this subject. The results can be explained as follows: the observed effect must be related to the stages of the water uptake by the seeds. The three stages of the water uptake associated with the seed germination process coincide with the maximum values in the germination parameters and with the change in the photosynthetic pigment content in seedlings.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) on the germination of sunflower seeds, early growth of seedlings and the concentration of selected elements in seedlings. The influence of constant magnetic fields in systems with and without Fe-NPs was investigated. Experiments were done on seeds subjected to germination under constant magnetic field (0 (control), 5, 25 and 120 mT) for 7 days in the presence of solution containing 0, 50 or 500 ppm Fe-NPs. No significant effect of Fe-NPs and the magnetic field on germination of seeds and the growth of seedlings has been demonstrated. In most cases, a decrease in germination parameters was observed. For the majority of samples the relative decrease in the concentrations of elements was demonstrated mainly for samples without Fe-NPs. Interestingly, a significant decrease in the concentrations of trivalent (including iron - Fe) and toxic elements in samples containing Fe-NPs in relation to control samples was observed. The authors suggest that in this case the binding (adsorption) of these elements in the roots and seeds of the sunflower by Fe-NPs took place. This explains the lower iron content in seedlings than in seeds prior to sowing.

Due to the common trend towards limitation of excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, there is a growth of interest in methods of seed quality improvement that would be safe for the environment. These include methods based on the effect of various physical factors, such as laser light, magnetic field, seed treatment with magnetized water, electric field. The work provides detailed information on the impact of seed stimulation of these factors on germination, growth, development and yielding of horticultural plants. Summarizing the results of the study, it can be concluded that the application of physical factors in appropriate doses can be an effective way to enhance many plant parameters that increase their productivity. The beneficial effects of seed stimulation are mainly related to the first stages of plant life, i.e. – germination, emergence and growth of seedlings. In many cases, the enhancement of these features is also the result of the increase of plant yields. The increase of yield is even several dozen percent. The results of the study encourage the implementation of these physical methods of seed quality improvement into agricultural and horticultural practice.

The influence of magnetic field stimulation (MFS) on plants is a subject of intense research. The influence of MFS on plants varies depending on its intensity, time of exposure, and form of application. Weak MFS has beneficial effects on physiological and biochemical processes in plant tissues. Lupins (Lupinus spp.) are economically and agriculturally important plants used mainly in livestock feeding or in human consumption. The effects of a stationary magnetic field (130 mT) on the mitotic activity and selected biochemical parameters of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) were evaluated. Nonexposed plants were used as the control. It was noted that the stimulation of plants with a 130-mT magnetic field favored the aboveground parts of the plants, which was manifested by an increase in the average length and fresh weight of shoots and an increase in the photosynthetic pigment content. However, guaiacol peroxidase activity decreased in shoots after their exposure to 130-mT MFS. The development of roots was at the control level. Moreover, an increase in the total protein content in both shoots and roots was observed after the MFS.