Effects of electromagnetic field and ultrasonic waves on seed germination of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)

In order to investigate the effect of electromagnetic field and ultrasonic waves on the seed germination of Cuminum cyminum that two separate experiments using a completely randomized design with four replications was conducted at Seed Science and Technology Laboratory of Faculty Agricultural Sciences، Shahed University of Tehran in 2012. In first experiment، for the seeds of zero، 10 and 30 min exposure to electromagnetic field intensity was 88 micro Tesla. In the second test (ultrasonic waves)، seeds for zero، 2، 4، 6، 8 and 10 min exposure ultrasonic waves’ intensity were 40 and 59 kHz. The interaction between electromagnetic field and the length had a significant effect on the traits of length، fresh weight and dry weight of root and shoot، length and weight of root to shoot ratio، percent and rate germination and mean germination time. In most of the studied traits showed that electromagnetic field cause significant decrease in the amount of traits، so that the control (zero M. T) had the highest value. The interaction of Ultrasonic waves at the time had a significant effect of on the most traits. Maximum germination percentage (100%) for the treatment of 40 kHz with duration of 4 and 6 minutes and mean germination time was highest in control (10. 76 days) and 59 kHz treatment duration of 2 and 4 min (respectively 11. 01 and 10. 75 days). Generally Cuminum cyminum seeds responded positively to the use of ultrasonic waves (In contrast field) and germination index was significantly increased in this case.