145

Magneto-Priming: A Novel Technique Towards Improved Seed Germinability

increased the speed of field emergence and the seedling length (Zalama &

Fathalla, 2020).

Seed treatment with MF of 0 to 250 mT with a step of 50 mT for 1 to 4

hours leads to enhance the growth parameters of chickpea root such as length,

volume, and surface area of roots (Vashisth & Nagarajan, 2008). Vashisth et

al. (2021) carried out an investigation on sunflower when the seeds were

exposed to SMF of 200 mT for 2 hours prior to planting under soil mois­

ture stress. They observed that there was remarkable enhancement in shoot

length, leaf area index, leaf number, total biomass, seed’s test weight with a

higher seed yield containing more protein and oil. Interestingly an enhance­

ment in terms of blue light-dependent anthocyanin build up or destruction

of CRY2 (cryptochrome circadian regulator 2) protein has similarly been

reported at greater intensities of MF (Ahmad et al., 2007). In another experi­

ment, the seeds of three varieties of broad beans were treated with 12.5 nT of

pulsed EMF with a frequency of 3 Hz for different time periods. Though 15

minutes of exposure resulted in enhanced vegetative parameters like the dry

weight of the seedlings, chlorophyll contents, increased leaf area with higher

transpiration rate and stomatal conductance but seed yield did not show any

significant improvement as compared to control (Katsenios et al., 2020).

5.2.3 EFFECTS ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND CROP PRODUCTIVITY

The chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis rate in

leaves of maize (Zea mays) are increased upon treatment of seeds with a

static MF of 100 and 200 mT (Anand et al., 2012). Further, electromagnetic

priming of maize seeds at 100 and 150 mT for 10 minutes improves Chl-a

content as well as photochemical and non-photochemical quenching, and

subsequently, these changes lead to reduce the drought-induced adverse

effect on plant growth (Javed et al., 2011). In another study, it has been

reported that MF treatment on soybean seeds results in higher chlorophyll-a

fluorescence, more soluble protein content in leaves with higher intensities of

protein bands particularly in the 53 KDa larger subunit and 14 KDa smaller

subunit of Rubisco along with a higher accumulation of biomass (Shine et

al., 2011). However, contrasting results of reduced cotyledon area and dry

weight along with decreased CO2 uptake by the radish seedlings have also

been observed when seeds are exposed to MF prior to sowing (Yano et al.,

2004). MF exposure of 4 mT regardless of the direction promotes growth

and CO2 uptake by potato plantlets (Iimoto et al., 1996). The exposure of