Effects of static electromagnetic fields at 24 hours incubation on the germination of rose coco beans (phaseolus vulgaris)
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Date
2009-05
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Abstract
This study evaluates the percent germination of Rose coco beans (Phaseolus vulgaris
L.) seeds, when exposed to static electromagnetic fields under laboratory conditions incubated for
24 h. This can be replicated in the field to aid short period production of beans, hence higher yield.
For a given set of sample, germinating bean seeds were exposed to field generated by Helmholtz coil,
North Pole or the South Pole with constant magnetic fields of 5 mT, 10 mT, 30 mT and 60 mT. The
exposure period was fixed at 3, 4.5 and 6 h and exposed after 12 h incubation. The germinating seeds
were counted after 24 h. Certain trends could be observed; statistical analysis has shown that there is
statistical influence (p < 0.05, ANOVA test) of the magnetic treatment on germination of rose coco
beans. Maximum seed germination occurred when exposed to South Pole field inducing percent
germination of approximately 73% compared to 52% of the control at field strength of 30 mT at
exposure period of 4.5 h. The research achieved its aim of proving the influence of static
electromagnetic field to germination of seeds in addition to, challenging seed companies to come up
with magnetized seeds that will germinate faster.
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Keywords
Germination, Static electromagnetic fields, Incubation period.