GERMINATION OF GRASS SEEDS SUBJECTED TO STATIONARY MAGNETIC FIELD

The objective of the present study is to determine and quantify the effect produced by a stationary magnetic field in germination of patrense seeds (Festuca arundinacea and Medicago sativa, L). Seeds were exposed to 250 mT during different periods of time: 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours or in a chronic way, doses (B1-B5). Parameters used were average germination time (AGT) and the necessary time for germination of 1, 10, 25, 50 and 75 % of seeds (T1- T7S). According to results obtained with alfalfa seeds, it can be said that the AGT is significant less in seeds exposed to the magnetic field (20,40 hr for B5, 20,88 for B4, 21,36 for B2 vs 25.68 hr for the control group). Control T was 30,24 h while in treated seeds it was significant less: 22,32 hr, 23,76 hr, 24,48 hr, 24,72 hr, and 24,96 h for the B5-B1 dose respectively. For festuca a reduction in AGT for treated seeds can be observed in comparison to the control group. T25 for the control group was 50,16 hr while for treated seeds it was 48,00h for B4 and 47,28 hr for B5. The rest of the parameters evaluated were also less. In consequence, the reduction in the parameters evaluated implies that the germination speed is greater