EFFECTS OF CR-TUNED 60 HZ MAGNETIC-FIELDS ON SPROUTING AND EARLY GROWTH OF RAPHANUS-SATIVUS

We exposed seeds of Raphanus sativus to 60 Hz ELF fields tuned to the ion cyclotron resonance frequencies for calcium and potassium ions. Ex posure lasted for 24 h/day for 21 days. Controls consisted of non-expo sed seeds and seeds exposed to 60 Hz fields with a static component of zero. The seeds exposed to calcium-tuned fields were slow to germinat e, but grew more rapidly and were finally larger than the controls. Ex posure to potassium-tuned fields produced rapid germination, but mildl y inhibited further growth, except for the roots which were larger tha n those of the controls. We regard the results with calcium as typical of the general growth-stimulating role for this ion. The same is true for the generally inhibitory role of potassium, except for plant root s where potassium is a known stimulatory factor.