Effect of Magnetic Field Treatments on Germination of True Potato Seeds, Seedlings Growth and Potato Tubers Characteristics

This experiment was carried out during the two growing seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 at the experimental farm of Unit for Strawberry and Non Traditional Horticulture Crops, Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Egypt, in order to investigate the effect of magnetic field on germination of true potato seeds (TPS), vegetative growth and potato tubers characteristics of potato plants “cv. Spunta”. The true potato seeds were exposed to three magnetic field strengths: 20-30-40 mT for three periods: 5, 10 and 15 minutes compared to untreated true potato seeds (control). Results indicated that, magnetic field treatments significantly increased the germination percentage of true potato seeds, vegetative growth parameters and improved potato tubers characteristics. Where, true potato seeds were exposed to 30 mT (magnetic strength) for 10 minutes produced the highest significant values of germination percentage, plant length, number of leaves per plant, fruit yield characteristics (number of tubers, fresh weight of tubers per plant and potato tuber diameter) as well as chemical contents of potato tuber (K and P contents). While, the obtained results did not have a trend for nitrate and starch contents of potato tubers. It is concluded that, magnatic field techniques can be considered as a promising technique in the future for improving the seeds germination, vegetaive growth and fruit yield of vegetables crops.