Effect of the elicitation with magnetic field of corn seeds on the development and nutrition of sprouts

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of exposing corn seeds to a 100 mT magnetic field (MF) on their sprout development. Design/methodology/approach: A completely randomized design was used, with five treatments (0, 10, 15, 30, and 60 minutes of MF exposure) with three repetitions (72 experimental units). From the germination process, the gibberellic acid concentration (GA3) and α-amylase activity were determined, morphometric and biochemical parameters of the foliar tissue from the sprouts were measured, such as total phenols, flavonoids, and catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and phenylalanium ammonium lyase (PAL) activities. Finally, some nutritional quality parameters of the sprouts were quantified, such as protein and ash content. Results: The results showed that the treatment of corn seeds with a MF had a favorable effect on the germination process increasing the GA3 concentration. Also, improvement in the development and quality of the sprouts, by increasing the growth of the shoot, root length, concentration of phenolic compounds and ash content in corn sprouts was found. Limitations on study/implications: escalate elicitation to the field level. Findings/conclusions: The elicitation of corn seeds with a magnetic field generates positive changes that transcend the corn sprouts.