Effect of physical energy on germination and seedling vigor of alfalfa seeds (Medicago sativa L.)

Ali Hajizadeh Namin, Abbas Akbarnia, Rouzbeh Abbaszadeh, Ali Zenouzi and Majid Masoumian
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Ali Hajizadeh Namin: Biosystem Engineering Department, Agricultural Research Institute, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Abbas Akbarnia: Biosystem Engineering Department, Agricultural Research Institute, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Rouzbeh Abbaszadeh: Biosystem Engineering Department, Agricultural Research Institute, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Ali Zenouzi: Biosystem Engineering Department, Agricultural Research Institute, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Majid Masoumian: Biosystem Engineering Department, Agricultural Research Institute, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

Research in Agricultural Engineering, 2024, vol. 70, issue 3, 174-180

Abstract: Recently, non-thermal technologies have emerged as a means to ensure the safety of agricultural products while also promoting plant growth and reducing pathogenic and chemical contamination of seeds. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of various treatments on the germination characteristics of alfalfa seeds. The experiment utilised a completely randomised design with five treatments and three replications, including cold plasma exposure, direct current (DC) electromagnetic field, magnetic field, and a combination of plasma exposure with magnetic and electromagnetic fields. The treated seeds were compared to the control seeds (without exposure) in terms of seedling length, germination rate index (GRI), vigor index, and seed germination. The results indicated that cold plasma treatment and a combination of plasma and magnetic field treatment significantly increased the germination rate compared to the control and other treatments. Furthermore, the combined treatment of plasma and electromagnetic fields, as well as the individual treatment with magnetic fields, resulted in a significant increase in root length and, consequently, the allometric coefficient. Non-thermal technologies are a promising approach to enhancing seed performance, particularly in terms of the rate of germination and seedling length.

Keywords: early growth; electromagnetic field exposure; magnetic field exposure; plasma exposure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlrae:v:70:y:2024:i:3:id:114-2023-rae

DOI: 10.17221/114/2023-RAE

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