A STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD OF 125 mT STIMULATES THE INITIAL GROWTH STAGES OF BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

In this paper the influence of a stationary magnetic field on the initial stages of barley plant development was evaluated. A stationary magnetic field has a stimulating effect on the first stages of growth of barley seeds for all exposure times studied. When germinating barley seeds were subjected to a magnetic field of 125 mT for different times (1, 10, 20, and 60 min, 24 h, and chronic exposure), increases in length and weight were observed. Maximum increases in the measured parameters were obtained when the time of exposure to magnetic field was long (24 h and chronic); however, the exposure for a short time (1 min) had a similar effect on growth.