Microwave radiation, seed germination and seedling growth responses in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Daryush Talei | Masoud Mahzoon | Mohammad Mohsenkhah

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URL :   http://research.shahed.ac.ir/WSR/WebPages/Report/PaperView.aspx?PaperID=116687
Date :  2018/11/22
Publish in :    Horticulture International Journal


Keywords :Capsicum annuum, chlorophyll content, germination rate, microwave frequency, microwave radiation

Abstract :

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The propagation of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) generally occurs through seed. Seed germination is a critical stage in the life-cycle of the plant, and often controls plant population dynamics. Here, we report an effective duration of exposure to microwave radiation to improve seed germination and growth indices of C. annuum. Two experiments were carried out at the seed germination and seedling growth stages. The results revealed that exposing the seed to 2,450 MHz microwave frequency radiation for ten hours resulted in the highest seed germination percentages (SGP). This treatment led to a SGP of 64.7 after 14 day (SGP14), with a mean germination time (MGT14) of 9.5 d. Although, other duration of exposure to microwave radiation had moderate effects on SGP14 from 42 to 64, they failed to reduce MGT14 values. Treating pepper seedlings with microwave frequency radiation revealed that 1 h of exposure increased plant growth indices (such as plant height and numbers of leaves), while longer exposure times (3 h or 4 h), limited growth. Interestingly, longer durations of exposure to microwave frequency radiation changed the behaviour leaves. This technique may be therefore used to enhance seed germination percentages and seedling growth in pepper.