Magnetic field effect on growth, arsenic uptake, and total amylolytic activity on mesquite ( Prosopis juliflora x P. velutina ) seeds

• Published in: Journal of applied physics 2012-04, Vol.111 (7), p.07B321-07B321-3
• Main Authors: Flores-Tavizón, Edith, Mokgalaka-Matlala, Ntebogeng S., Elizalde Galindo, José T., Castillo-Michelle, Hiram, Peralta-Videa, Jose R., Gardea-Torresdey, Jorge L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-8979; 1089-7550
• DOI: 10.1063/1.3676241

Magnetic field is closely related to the cell metabolism of plants [N. A. Belyavskaya, Adv. Space Res. 34 , 1566 (2004)]. In order to see the effect of magnetic field on the plant growth, arsenic uptake, and total amylolytic activity of mesquite ( Prosopis juliflora x P. velutina ) seeds, ten sets of 80 seeds were selected to be oriented with the long axis parallel or randomly oriented to an external magnetic field. The external magnetic field magnitude was 1 T, and the exposition time t=30 min. Then, the seeds were stored for three days in a plastic bag and then sown on paper towels in a modified Hoagland's nutrient solution. After three days of germination in the dark and three days in light, seedlings were grown hydroponically in modified Hoagland's nutrient solution (high PO 4 2− ) containing 0, 10, or 20 ppm of arsenic as As (III) and (V). The results show that the germination ratios, growth, elongation, arsenic uptake, and total amylolytic activity of the long axis oriented mesquite seeds were much higher than those of the randomly oriented seeds. Also, these two sets of seeds showed higher properties than the ones that were not exposed to external magnetic field.