Abstract
Magnetic stimulation of seeds before sowing can have a significant impact on the speed of their germination. Sprouts are sought after by consumers for their high nutrient content. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of a pulsed magnetic field on the dynamics of seed germination and on the content of ions in sunflower, cress, and radish sprouts. The research material in the experiment was provided by seeds of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), and garden radish (Raphanus sativus L.) intended for sprouting, which were supplied by PNOS Ożarów Mazowiecki. The research methods involved germinating seeds under strictly defined conditions for 14 days. Then, the mineral composition of the previously mineralised sprout material was determined using emission spectrometry on a ICP-OES iCAP Duo 6500 Termo spectrometer. Greater dynamics of germination were noted in the first half of the growth period in seeds stimulated with a pulsed magnetic field with the parameters 100 µT and 100 Hz. However, the application of the magnetic field produced no increase in the capacity of the seeds to germinate. The research showed an increase in the content of macronutrients in sprouts, such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sulphur. In the case of the field with parameters of 100 µT and 200 Hz, the effect was similar for both the germination percentage and the accumulation of macronutrients. However, in the case of both frequencies of magnetic field applied, the effect on individual plant seed species was different. Pre-sowing stimulation of seeds with a pulsed magnetic field may affect the rate of seed germination and the content of ions in the sprouts; however, these effects vary in individual plant matrices.
Highlights
The first parameter analysed throughout the growth period of sunflower, cress, and radish seed sprouts is the germination parameter
The results obtained for radish sprouts clearly show the tendency to accelerate the seed germination process during the first period of germination
The factor improving this parameter was described by Menegatti et al [27]. They indicated that the exposure of passion fruit seeds to a sublime magnetic field in an isolated manner stimulates seed germination, emergence, and vigour
Summary
In Phase I, rapid water uptake takes place, which initiates the metabolism in which DNA and mitochondrial repair occurs along with protein synthesis using existing mRNA. During Phase II, further water uptake is limited because the water potential of the grain is almost in balance with that of the surrounding environment. This phase is referred to as the activation or retardation phase. Sprouts are formed from seeds during germination and are an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, containing nutrients as important to health as glucosinolates, plus phenolic and selenium components in cruciferous plants or isoflavones in soybeans. Numerous studies have proven that sprouting is an inexpensive and effective method of accumulation of bioactive compounds in the seeds of legumes, cereals, vegetables, fruit, flowers, and medicinal plant seeds [5]
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