Effect of Static Magnetic Field on Germination and Enzymes Activity of Lemon Balm (Mellissa officinalis) Seeds
Authors
Latifeh Pourakbar
Urmia University
Abstract
An investigation was carried out to study the effect of exposure of lemon balm (Mellissa officinalis) seeds to magnetic fields on germination, early growth and enzyme activity. The lemon balm seeds (dry and wet) were treated with different intensities of magnetic field (0, 25, 50 and 75 mT) and different exposure times (0, 30 and 60 min). The results showed significant differences among treatments concerning germination percentage, root length, shoot height, seedling dry mass and seedling vigor index. The activities of α-amylase, dehydrogenase and protease were significantly higher in treated seeds compared to the control. Increased enzymatic activity of magnetic field treated germinating seeds could be considered as a stimulator for rapid germination and as a germination primer.