Effect of alternating magnetic field on ontogenesis and morphophysiological characteristics of radish plants of different magnetic orientation

Abstract

Effect of weak horizontal alternating magnetic field (AMF) with a frequency of 50 Hz and intensity of 400 A/m on seed formation and morphophysiological characteristics was investigated in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) plants of major types of magnetic orientation (TMO): North–South (NS) and West–East (WE). AMF retarded the passage through all the stages of ontogenesis; as compared with control material, the next leaves emerged slower, and the transition to formation of flower-bearing stems, budding, flowering, and production of pods and mature seeds was delayed. In plants of NS TMO exposed to AMP, the number of pods and seeds and the weight of seeds decreased, while these characteristics rose in WE TMO. AMF acted as an environmental factor differentiating plants’ response depending on their type of magnetic orientation. Dissimilar response to the magnetic field is associated with their physiological status.