Testing Innovative Technique Based on Microwave Irradiation, for Stimulating Common Bean Germination and Development

Abstract

In the last decades a new goal for agriculture is to develop environmentally friendly innovative technologies. One of the interest solutions, in perspective, is the treatment of plants with low power microwave irradiation in order to obtain a higher and healthier production. This approach could also contribute to mitigation of harmful effects produced by excessive use of chemical products in treatment of seeds and also field culture phytoprotection. Investigating effects of microwave irradiation, on the germination of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Ardeleana) seeds, and on the growth and development of bean plantules, in specific experimental conditions. The trial was developed within Laboratories of the Advanced Research Centre for Environmental Protection and Assessment of Life Quality from USAMV Cluj-Napoca. The growing experiment of 10 - 8 days (with 49 individuals each) was developed until the seeds have grown up to 15 cm height, in conditions of microwave irradiated and no irradiated conditions. The studied parameters were: length of stems, length of roots, and seedling vigour index. Data were statistically processed with STATISTICA v 6.0 Office. The studied parameters were quantified by biometric approach (length of stems and roots). The use of low power microwave irradiation in germination of common bean in laboratory conditions may be taken into consideration for large scale cultivation. Further research is needed in order to establish appropriate practices for the success of this innovative technique.