Abstract
Melissa officinalis L., commonly known as lemon balm, is a perennial herb belonging to Lamiaceae family. It has therapeutic properties, such as sedative, carminative, antispasmodic, anti-viral, wound healing, digestive, diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-septic and anti-thyroid. Lemon balm has been used for the treatment of headache, indigestion, colic, nervousness, cardiac problems, depression, rheumatism, indigestion, hypersensitivities, anxiety and depression traditionally. Beneficial effects of lemon balm are ascribed to the phenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid, tannins and flavonoids. Studies showed that magnetic field applications in agriculture can be used to improve the quality and quantity of the product. Positive effects of the stationary magnetic field on the plant seed germination have been recorded with some plant species. In this study, effects of magnetic field on M. officinalis seeds were investigated. Seeds were sterilized in 0.1 % HgCl 2 for 10 min and 70 % Ethanol for 1-2 min. After surface sterilization of the seeds, they were placed in petri dishes containing Murashige and Skoog’s medium with sucrose and agar. Neodymium block magnets (100 X 50 X 5 mm) were used to create magnetic fields (50 mT and 100 mT). Ten seeds were placed in each petri plates and 10 petri plates were used for each treatment. Petri dishes containing surface sterilized seeds were placed in 3 different conditions [without magnetic field application (control) and magnetic field applications (low-50 mT and high-100 mT)] and the germination (radicle protrusion) was assessed. Seeds were exposed to magnetic fields for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 144 and 240 hours. The number of germinated seeds was recorded for 20 days. Best seed germination was obtained with 100 mT magnetic field application for 1 hour (52 %). Seed germination rate was rather low (28 %) without magnetic field application (control). In consistent with 100 mT magnetic field application, 1 hour exposure to 50 mT magnetic field gave better germination rate (36 %) than control. The lowest seed germination was observed with 240 hours exposure to both magnetic fields (27 % for 100 mT and 16 % for 50 mT). Magnetic field applications also decreased the seed germination time. Although seed germination was observed in 11. day with control, it was obtained in 7. day with both magnetic field applications. Magnetic field application enhanced the percentage of germinated seed and shortened the period of seed germination in M. officinalis .
Highlights
Melissa officinalis L. is a perennial bushy plant belonging to Lamiaceae family [1]
M. officinalis seeds were magnetically exposed to static magnetic field intensity of 50 mT and 100 mT for different time of exposure, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 144 and 240 hours, respectively
It was found that magnetic field intensity and exposure time were a very significant factor on the germination process of lemon balm seeds comparing with non-treated
Summary
Melissa officinalis L. is a perennial bushy plant belonging to Lamiaceae family [1]. It is commonly called as ‘lemon balm’ because of its lemon-like flavor and fragrance [2]. Native to Europe, lemon balm is grown all over the world It is grown in herb gardens or to attract bees, and in crops for medicine, cosmetics, and furniture polish manufacturing [3]. It is an aromatic plant with useful applications in medicine, cookery and perfumery [4]. Preparations from leaves are used to treat feverish colds and headaches, to relieve menstrual cramps, and to calm nervous stomachs [11] All of these actions of M. officinalis may be related to the high levels of phenolic acids especially rosmarinic acid [12]. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of magnetic field on M. officinalis seed germination
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