Effect of Strengths and Exposure Durations of Magnetic Field on Seeds Germination of <i>Catharanthus roseus</i> cv. ‘Acillata’

Abstract

Magnetic field improved germination parameters. The germination of <em>Catharanthus roseus</em> seeds is lost under salinity conditions. The effect of different strengths of magnetic field and exposure durations on the germination of <em>C. roseus</em> seeds under salinity conditions (19 mS cm^-1) were investigated. The experiment was conducted with factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 magnetic field strengths (50, 100 and 150 mT) and 3 exposure durations (10, 20, and 30 minutes). It was found that exposure to magnetic field improved seed germination under salinity conditions, so that the highest germination percentages of (74.44 and 73.05%) were obtained from 20 and 30 minutes exposure to the 100 mT magnetic field, respectively, which resulted in 28% higher germination than control. Also, these treatments were found to be the best for germination rate and vigor indices I and II. The highest radicle length (2.37 cm) and plumule length (3.50 cm) were related to the 20 minutes exposure in 50 mT magnetic field and the 10 minutes exposure in the 100 mT magnetic field. The highest radicle dry weight of 0.24 g and plumule dry weight of 0.81 g was observed in treatment of 10 minute exposure to the100 mT magnetic field.