The effects of magnetic field applications in different durations and intensities on pepper seed germination and seedling emergence of under drought conditions

This study was conducted in the climate chamber and laboratories of Yozgat Bozok University Faculty of Agriculture to investigate the effects of magnetic field (MF) applications applied at different times and intensities on drought stress in pepper. Arzuman pepper was used as the material. The seeds of the Arzuman cultivar were treated with MF at intensities of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1.1 T for 3, 5 and 7 min using the Hall Effect Measurement System (HEMS). The germination rate and germination time were investigated by exposing the treated seeds to drought stress. In the study, MF-treated seeds were planted in media containing a peat perlite mixture, and drought stress was applied to the seedlings obtained. After drought stress, plant height, fresh and dry shoot weights, chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin contents as well as tissue electrical conductivity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline content parameters were investigated. While the best germination rate was determined at 79.50% in irrigated conditions, this rate decreased to 76.25% in drought conditions. While MF intensities did not have a statistically significant effect on germination parameters, the highest germination percentage was obtained with 81.40% in 5 min MF application. Germination uniformity was determined as 8.74 days in drought conditions, while it was 7.46 days in irrigated conditions. The mean germination time was determined as 5.70 days at the earliest in irrigated conditions and the latest at 6.23 in drought conditions. In terms of wet and dry weight (2.10 g-0.22 g, respectively), the best MF severity was 0.7-T application. The plant height gave the best result with 6.09 cm in 3 min MF application. In all applications, the highest anthocyanin accumulation was determined in the DC-5 min- 0.5 T application and the DC-7 min- 0.9 application. When examined in terms of MDA content, the least deterioration was observed in the application of 1.20 nmolg-1 FW and 0.7 T. In terms of proline accumulation, the best results with 0.12 nmolg-1 FW were determined in 0.3 and 0.5 T applications. Because of this study, positive effects of MF application on germination, growth and biochemical contents are seen in drought conditions.