SILVIA NEAMŢU, V.V. MORARIU

National R & D Institute of Isotopic & Molecular Technologies, P.O.Box 700, Cluj-Napoca 5, 400293, Romania

Abstract. Seeds germination rate and the early stage of seedling growth of eight species of plants were investigated in the absence of the main static component of geomagnetic field (ZMF) and in geomagnetic field as control (GMF), in quiet and increased geomagnetic field activity (GMA). We found a similar rate of seeds germination both in ZMF and GMF, in quiet GMA periods. In the presence of major storm, the germination rate of Medicago sativa L. and Secale cereale L. seeds was stimulated in ZMF conditions. After four days of incubation, the growth of the tested plants was prevalently inhibited in ZMF in the early stage of stem elongation. However some plant species were stimulated. The results show that ZMF conditions could increase the rate of seeds germination in the presence of natural magnetic disturbance and affect the early stage of seedling growth in the dynamic growth phase. The response of plants to ZMF depends on plant species.

Corresponding author’s e-mail: silvia@l40.itim-cj.ro

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