Soybean (Glycine max) germination response to Static Magnetic Field treatment

Soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is known as the plant-based protein source for human and animal consumption. Its high protein content emphasizes to meet recent demands to achieve higher yields and more protein production in a organic manner to reduce the usage of chemicals in agriculture. So, the focus of present research is to look over the effect of the static magnetic field (SMF) treatment on soybean seeds, to get a greater number of germinated seeds and improved growth parameters. It is assumed that the application of magnetic field helps to overcome seed dormancy. The parameters examined in this experiment were germination percentage (GP), seedling growth (root and shoot length) and chlorophyll content. Four different soybean cultivars of various earliness (Abelina, Adelfia, Adessa, and Pamela) were tested. The exposure time of seeds to the static magnetic field was 3 and 12 min, whereas the dose of the magnetic induction applied directly to seeds was 250 and 500 mT. The following combinations were tested on seeds: 250 mT + 3 min, 250 mT + 12 min, 500 mT + 3 min, 500 mT + 12 min and control group (seeds not subjected to any treatment). Among the soybean tested varieties, Abelina showed the best results in terms of germination percentage for all tested groups, while Adelfia variety recorded significantly the highest increase in the percentage of germinated seeds − 79% (for the group 500 mT + 3 min) compared to the control group (55%). In the same group (500 mT + 3 min), Adelfia seedling growth parameters and chlorophyll content found positive results in relation to all tested groups and untreated seeds (control). The application of a static magnetic field as a physical treatment to plant seeds is a promising approach for improving emerging parameters such as germination percentage, seedling growth and development, and chlorophyll content.