Effects of Electromagnetic Field on Seed Germination, β‐Amylase Activity, Total Protein Content, Water Uptake, and Growth of Wheat Seedlings (Triticum aestivum)

• Published in: Bioelectromagnetics Vol. 46; no. 5; pp. e70011 - n/a
• Main Authors: Urnukhsaikhan, Enerelt, Bold, Bum‐Erdene, Khurelbaatar, Luvsanbat, Bazarvaani, Altanzul, Mishig‐Ochir, Tsogbadrakh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2025
• Subjects: abiotic stress; Amylases; beta-Amylase - metabolism; Biomass; electromagnetic field; Electromagnetic Fields; Germination; Germination - radiation effects; Imbibition; Low frequency; Nutrient content; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Plant tissues; Protein folding; Proteins; Seed germination; Seedlings; Seedlings - growth & development; Seedlings - metabolism; Seedlings - radiation effects; Seeds; Seeds - growth & development; Seeds - metabolism; Seeds - radiation effects; Triticum - enzymology; Triticum - growth & development; Triticum - metabolism; Triticum - radiation effects; Triticum aestivum; Water - metabolism; Water uptake; Wheat; seed germination; electromagnetic field; Triticum aestivum; abiotic stress
• ISSN: 0197-8462; 1521-186X; 1521-186X
• DOI: 10.1002/bem.70011

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) treatment on wheat seeds' germination, β‐amylase activity, total protein content, water uptake and seedling growth under laboratory conditions. Wheat seeds were exposed to a 10 Hz EMF of 7.5 mT for 5 h over 3 days, with untreated seeds as controls. Results showed significant increases in overall biomass (8.68‐fold), above‐ground biomass (AGB) (49.47%), and below‐ground biomass (BGB) (39.18%) after 48 h of imbibition. EMF treatment enhanced total protein content by fourfold and amylase activity by 4.5‐fold compared to controls after 24 h of imbibition. The experimental group also exhibited accelerated germination by 36 h compared to controls. Notably, β‐amylase activity in leaf tissue increased fivefold, which is crucial for seed germination. The study concludes that EMF application in early development activates biochemical reactions, accelerating germination and potentially improving crop tolerance to abiotic stresses and promoting seedling emergence in/. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00–00, 2025. © 2025 © 2025 Bioelectromagnetics Society. Summary The effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) was observed to have a positive effect on the initial stages of wheat germination. This finding may indicate to reach promising plant development and the possibility of a higher crop yield in the later stages. The application of EMF resulted in consistently higher amylase activity in the early germination of magnetically treated wheat seeds. Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) led to an increase in both amylase activity and total protein concentration after imbibition, consequently promoting germination.