Effect of magnetized seeds and magnetized saline water on seed germination and seedling growth of tall wheatgrass (Agropyron elongatum)

Abstract

This study has been performed to investigate the effect of magnetization of normal and saline water, and magnetized seed on seed germination properties (germination percent, speed of germination, seed vigor, root length, shoot length, seedling length, shoot weight, root weight and seedling weight) of tall wheatgrass Agropyron elongatum in the laboratory condition in Yasouj University, Iran, in 2012. A three factor experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with four replications. The factors were: salinity in three levels (control, 100 and 200 mM sodium chloride and calcium chloride with proportion 1:1), magnetized water in five intensity levels (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 KG), and magnetized seeds in five levels (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 KG). The result of analyses of variance showed significant interaction effect between salinity and magnetic water and salinity and magnetic seed for all of traits except germination percent. Interaction effects of magnetic water and magnetic seed was significant for only root length. Results showed that by increasing salinity all of seed germination traits were reduced regardless of water and seeds treatments. In non saline water the maximum values were obtained by magnetic water treatment of 2.5 and 5 KG and magnetic seeds of 7.5 and 10 KG. In saline water of 100 mM, the higher values of seed properties were obtained in magnetic water intensity of 2.5 KG and magnetic seeds intensity of 7.5 KG. In sever salinity 200 mM, both magnetic water and magnetic seed had no effect on seed germination traits. It was concluded that magnetization was more effective on non saline water than that for saline water in seedling growth of A. elongatum. For magnetic water lower strengths in range of 2.5 and 5 KG and for magnetic seed the higher strengths in range of 7.5 and 10 KG are suggested. In overall for simplicity and lower cost using the magnetic water are preferred than magnetized seeds.