The Influence of Strong Static Magnetic Field on the Germination and Growth of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.)
Filipina J. Krótki
Students Research Society, Witkowski High School, Cracow, Poland
Barbara K. Kościelniak
Students Research Society, College of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.
Przemysław J. Tomasik *
Tutor of Students Research Society, College of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Wielicka St. 265, Cracow, Poland.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of static magnetic field generated by a neodymium-iron-boron magnets on the growth of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L).
Methodology: At the bottom of vessels with garden cress seeds (sample tested) magnets with an established direction of the vector of magnetic field were placed. In the first phase the magnets were put with the south pole facing up, and in the second phase the magnets were put with the north pole facing up. The control group consisted of garden cress cultivated on nonmagnetic cylindrical bars of magnets size. Every day the diameter of the growing area were measured and simultaneously the photographic documentation was collected. On adjusted photos a percentage of green was analyzed.
Results: In both experiments Lepidium sativum seeds began to sprout on the first day. After three days the plants cultivated on the magnets with the south pole facing up had the field of growth significantly larger than the control probes on almost all days whereas the plants cultivated on the magnets with the north pole facing up had similar growth area to control except for day 7.
Conclusion: Magnetic field generated by neodymium magnets orientated similarly to Earth` magnetic field stimulated growth of garden cress.
Keywords: Neodymium-iron-boron magnet, plant growth, germination