Evaluating the Magnetic Field effects on Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) under Mashhad Climatic Conditions

Effect of magnetic fields is now the subject of an increasingly large research effort because it is known to induce biochemical changes in plant species. In physic science, it is well established that by passing water through a magnetic device, the water can be influenced. On the other hand, the literature review in physical science in different country indicated also that magnetized water induced a change in water physicochemical properties such as conductivity, surface tension, viscosity, vaporization rate, and pH. The magnetic properties of the cells determine their capability in order to absorb and transfer the magnetic energy to other types of energy, transferring these energies within the plant. Therefore, this technology was used in different countries which all reported the successful use of magnets in treating water for irrigation use. Magnetic fields on seeds lead to better germination rate and plant growth than chemical fertilizers. Magnetic fields have been to apply a stimulus effect on growth and germination and on crop yield.
In order to study the effect of magnetic field on growth and total dry matter of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), an strip plot experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted at the Agronomy Research Field of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad ( Lat 36˚15' N, Long 59˚28' E; 985 m Altitude) during 2013-2014. The first treatment was the exposure of seed to magnetic field in three levels (normal, 100 and 150 mT magnetic field with 120 minutes durations).The magnetic field exert by a device consists of two magnets and the two opposite poles of two magnets that attract each other. Moreover, the intensity of magnetic field changed by adjusting the distance between the poles. It was measured by using a micrometer Tesla meter Leybold- Heraeus51652. The second treatment consisted of water irrigation types as two levels (normal water and magnetized water with 650 mT). Magnetized water was produced by a commercial magnet namely AQUA CORRECT with (650Gauss magnetic field. All data were analyzed by Sigmaplot and Excel and treatments were separated using Fisher’s protected LSD Test. All statements of significance were based on probability of (P