Improving the performance of birch seeds (Betula pendula) using nanoprime and magnetic field

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of increasing the germination traits (germination and rate percentage) and vegetation characteristics of 3-month-old seedlings of Betula pendula (plumule and radicle length, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of root, leaf area) by applying nano-priming and magnetic field. Seeds were collected from the Siah- Marzkouh area, 18 km from Gorgan-Golestan, Iran and after disinfection they were primed (soaked)  in a 1% solution of nano-chitin, nano-chitosan and nano-cellulose, and then sown. Magnetic treatment was applied to the seeds at three levels of 20, 30 and 40 mT at 1, 10 and 20 minutes and were sown immediately. A number of seeds were primed with all 3 nanomaterials after being exposed to the magnetic field (with the previous dose and time) and then planted. The results showed that among all the applied treatments, 1 min magnetism in 30 mT and then 2 hour seed priming with 1% solution of nanocellulose, were the best, In a way that increased the germination percentage (1.58 times), germination rate (1.9 times), number of leaves (1.2 times), leaf area (1.84 times) and root length (1.4 times) compared to the control (no treatment). The 20-minute magnetic treatment of seeds at 30 mT intensity and then the two-hour seed priming with 1% nanocellulose gave similar results. Two seed treatments (10 and 20 minute) in 30 mT (without nanopriming) are also recommended after these two treatments.