Effect of laser and variable magnetic field simulation on amaranth seeds germination

Abstract

A b s t r a c t. A study was conducted on the effect of stimulation with He-Ne laser and variable magnetic field on germination of seeds of amaranth cv. Aztek and Rawa at various temperatures. The study involved the use of laser light with power density of F = 6 mW cm -2 , in five replications, variable magnetic field with induction B = 30 mT and exposure time t = 30 s, and combinations of laser light and variable magnetic field at the above parameters. Amaranth seeds were sown on Petri dishes, at 100 seeds per dish in five replications. The tests were conducted in a controlled climate chamber at temperatures of 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 35, 45, 55°C, in total darkness. On the basis of the experiments it can be stated that laser stimulation, variable magnetic field, and combinations of the two factors had a favourable effect on the germination of seeds of amaranth, for the applied doses and germination temperatures, but primarily in the initial phase of germination that lasted from several to several dozen hours. K e y w o r d s: laser and variable magnetic field stimulation, amaranth, germination temperature