Treatment of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seeds with Electromagnetic Field Influences Germination and Phytohormone Balance Depending on Seed Size

Abstract

Electromagnetic field (EMF) and its effect on crop plant growth and their quality parameters is increasingly gaining the interest of researchers in agronomic science. However, the exact mechanism of EMF action in plant cells is still unclear. Among the completely unexplored parameters is the relationship between the EMF effects and the seed size. Thus, the EMF effect was analyzed in winter wheat seeds categorized into two size groups, small and big. The study focused on the germination kinetics, early growth parameters, and phytohormone concentrations (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA and abscisic acid, ABA) in seeds, roots, and coleoptiles after exposure to EMFs (50 Hz, 7 mT) and their controls. EMF exposure resulted in faster germination and the more rapid early growth of organs, especially in big seeds in dark conditions. The faster germination and seedling growth of small seeds in control conditions, and of big seeds after EMF exposure, corresponds largely to the decline in IAA and ABA levels. This study confirms that presowing treatment with an EMF is a promising tool for sustainable seed crop improvement, but detailed studies on the EMF mechanism of action, including phytohormones, are necessary to better control future crop yield, especially considering the factor of seed size.

Magnetic Field Treatment in Barley: Improved Salt Tolerance in Early Stages of Development

“…Another important parameter in the MF effect is the MF intensity. Cecchetti et al (2022); in their study to determine the effects of a static magnetic field on the germination capacity of wheat, it was reported that the density of 100 and 180 mT gave the best results. Besides, the study carried out by Aladjadjiyan (2010) on lentil seeds and 150 mT static MF showed better germination of lentil seeds.…”

Seed Treatment with Electromagnetic Field Induces Different Effects on Emergence, Growth and Profiles of Biochemical Compounds in Seven Half-Sib Families of Silver Birch

“…The study also examines changes in metabolic and defense enzyme activity, secondary metabolism and photosynthesis, which serve as key indicators of plant adaptability to biotic and abiotic stress. Numerous studies (reviewed recently in [67]) have noted that seed treatment with EMFs increases the seed germination rate in T. pratense L. [68], Triticum aestivum [69] and woody plants such as Rhododendron smirnowii, Morus nigra or Picea abies [25,66]. The germination rate in some cases increased by almost 50%, depending on the duration of the treatment with EMFs.…”

Alleviation salinity stress in germination, seedling vigor, growth, physiochemical, yield and nutritional value of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) using magnetic technology in sandy soil

“…According to increasing IAA content in response to magnetic water treatment, Podle´sny et al, [58] concluded that, The presowing treatment of pea seed with alternating MFs of 50 Hz (30 and 85 mT) caused a significant increase in the IAA level in the germinating seeds (end-point analysis), as well as in young stems and roots. Cecchetti et al [59] showed that, EMFs caused a strong and significant increase of 36% in the IAA level in the whole big seeds compared to their untreated control. Also, Liu et al, [60] concluded that, magnetic treatment could promote nitrogen assimilation and the free amino acids production through enhancing the key enzymes activities.…”