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Magneto-Priming: A Novel Technique Towards Improved Seed Germinability

However, the magnetic field exposure has also been reported to increase

the production and activity of several ROS scavenging enzymes. There are

two types of antioxidant system viz., an enzymatic system which is medi­

ated by enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase

(APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPOX), glutathione reduc­

tase (GR), glutathione s-transferase (GST), etc., and non-enzymatic system

comprised of different phenolic compounds, carotenoids, AsA, α-tocopherol,

etc. The antioxidant systems help to minimize the uncontrolled oxidation and

thereby protect the plant from oxidative damages induced by ROS (Foyer

& Noctor, 2005). The ROS scavenging enzymes such as SOD, CAT, APX,

etc., regulate the concentration of ROS within the cell. Actually, the anti­

oxidant systems maintain a critical level of ROS concentration that is called

“oxidative window” and thus allow the ROS to work as signaling molecules

(Figure 5.2). The progressive events of germination are not permitted if the

concentration of ROS is below or above the “oxidative window” (Bailly et

al., 2008). Recent findings of the higher transcript level of some genes that

are involved in the synthesis of SOD1, SOD9, NOX, and AO in germinating

seeds under MF exposure would indicate the crucial role of magneto-priming

in ROS scavenging (Anand et al., 2019).

FIGURE 5.2 MF induced activation of antioxidant systems in germinating seeds.