Effects of Magnetic Field on Growth and Antioxidant Capacity of Artemisia aucheri in Normal or Saline Conditions

In the present study, changes of total phenolic concentration and radical-scavenging activity were evaluated in the shoots of Artemisia aucheri -a medicinal plantthat had been exposed as seeds to magnetic fields (90 or 200 mT for 5 and 20 min) and that were irrigated for one month with NaCl (150 mM) under glasshouse conditions. Total phenolic content and radical-scavenging activity decreased in A. aucheri under salt stress. Magnetic fields (particularly at 200mT for 20min) significantly increased these parameters compared to control, regardless of the presence or absence of NaCl. While salt stress induced MDA accumulation and biomass diminution in A. aucheri, magnetic-pretreatment of seeds significantly alleviated the injurious effects of NaCl. Results suggested application of magnetic field would increase salt tolerance in A. aucheri through maintenance of cellular membrane integrity. It may also improve medicinal properties of the shoots via increased polyphenols concentration and antioxidant capacity.