Activating oil palm germination and improved survival of seedlings using a rotating magnetic field

Abstract

Effects of magneto priming on stimulation of seed germination is widely known. The field which generates magnetized water used for priming can be static magnetic or electromagnetic fields. In this work, we present effect of magneto-priming generated by a rotating magnetic field to improve oil palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.) germination of oil palm kernels. We developed a rotisserie-type magnetic field apparatus (MFA) to stimulate oil palm seed germination. The roller (rotisserie) device ensures an even dosage to an applied magnetic field. Only a 4 h’ dosage was required to stimulate germination. The magnetic treatment group started to germinate at 15 days. There was 50% germination after 22 ± 1 d with a maximum germination rate of about 6% d−1 and 100% germination after 37 d. The linearly determined maximum germination rate is about 4.93 ± 0.34% d−1, whereas the logistic model gives a higher estimate of 6.46 ± 0.04% d−1. The MFA rotisserie device is a significant improvement in rate of germination and overall germination percentage as well as growth of young seedlings of oil palm.