Investigating the effects of various magnetic field exposure intensities and periods in pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) seeds

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of electromagnetic field on germination characteristics of pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus). It was conducted in factorial randomized complete design with three replications in Tarbiat modares University, during 2013-14. Pigweed seeds were subjected to three magnetic field levels created by magnets with 4000G, 5000G and 6000G for exposure times of 5, 35 and 65 minutes followed by which the seeds were placed in petri dishes and transferred on germinator. The germination characteristics, germination percentage, time to 50% germination, germination evenness and the rate of germination were recorded .The sprouts were bisected in four-leaf stage and they were evaluated in their morphologic characteristics and the amount of protein and â-amylase enzymatic activity. Results indicated that the mutual effect of the magnetic field exposure duration and intensity was found significant on all the examined traits in pigweed. The highest and lowest germination in pigweed seeds were recorded with 5000G-5minutes and 6000G-65minutes treatments, respectively. The treatments in which the weed seeds were exposed to 5000G intensity for 65minutes, 6000G for 35minutes produced the highest and the lowest amounts of protein, respectively. Based on the experiment results the magnetic field exposure intensity and duration influence the germination characteristics, protein content and â-amylase enzymatic activity rate, this can be a promised method in controlling the weeds in farms.