Magnetic field in coffee seed germination

ABSTRACT The effective production of coffee seedlings faces many challenges, including seed germination. Therefore, a reduced seed germination period can be one of the most relevant contributions to enhance the testing and production of robust seedlings. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of a constant magnetic field on the germination of coffee seeds (Coffea arabica L.). The analyses were performed using a biospeckle laser (BSL) in conjunction with traditional seed viability tests. The coffee seeds were subjected to magnetic fields of constant intensity at values of 10 mT and 28 mT for a time interval of 6 days during their germination process. The embryo region was illuminated, and the images obtained by the BSL were processed. The activity levels of this region were compared with the data obtained using traditional physiological seed analysis. In addition to the results of BSL activity, the results of the seed analysis, such as isoenzymatic catalase (CAT), esterase (EST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and endo-β-mananase, membrane integrity, germination, germination speed index (GSI), emergence speed index (ESI), and radicular protrusion levels, were obtained during the germination process. In conclusion, magnetic pretreatment with both intensities during the first six days of germination improved the permeability of the cellular membranes and advanced the activation of the antioxidant system, thus promoting faster and more uniform seed germination.