The Effects of Magnetic Field on Germination of Seeds and Growth of Seedlings of Stone Pine

Abstract

Stone pine (Pinus Pinea L.) is a multi-purpose species for Mediterranean forestry owing to both economic and socio-economic importance. Thus, in this study the effects of magnetic field on the germination of seeds and growth of seedlings of stone pine were investigated. For this purpose, its seeds were treated by a magnetic field of 9.42 mT for a different period of time – 0 min (control), 15 min, 30 min and 40 min in a cylindrical shaped sample, made of a nonmagnetic thin transparent plastic sheet. Germination experiments were conducted in the greenhouse of Bartın University. Considered the germination results as a whole, while seeds exposed to a magnetic field for 30 and 45 minutes resulted in higher germination energy (43%) and percentage (55%), respectively. Both the lowest germination energy (6%) and germination percentage (32%) were found out to be in the seeds without applying magnetic field. Magnetic field increased shoot height, root collar diameter and also tap root length of stone pine seedlings. In terms of shoot height, 85% of 1+0 seedlings was proper for afforestation activities based the classification of TSI. Moreover, magnetic field treatments may be considered as an alternative method to enhance germination Stone pine seeds and to obtain better growth characteristics of their seedlings.