Study of stationary magnetic fields on initial growth of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds

The effects of magnetic treatments on the initial growth stages of pea (Pisum sativum L) seeds have been studied. Seeds were exposed to 125 mT or 250 mT stationary magnetic field generated by magnets under laboratory conditions for 1, 10 and 20 min, 1 and 24 h and continuous exposure. In a first experiment, seeds were glued to filter paper, rolled, placed in a vessel containing distilled water and subjected to a magnetic treatment; the length and weight of plants were measured at 3, 7 and 10 days after imbibition. In a second experiment, seeds were sown in pots with organic growing medium and subjected to the same magnetic treatments as the first group of experiments; the length and weight of pea seedlings were assessed at 7 and 14 days after sowing. In both experiments, plants from seeds given magnetic field treatment were longer and heavier than the corresponding controls at each time of evaluation. The major increases occurred when seeds were continuously exposed to the magnetic field. In conclusion the data suggest 125 and 250mT stationary magnetic fields have a stimulating effect on the first stages of growth of pea plants.