Influence of chronic exposure to an electromagnetic field on germination and early growth of Quercus suber seeds: Preliminary study

Cork oak acorns were chronically exposed to a 50-Hz, 15-mu T electromagneti c field generated in a Helmholtz coil system for 13 weeks. The extremely lo w-frequency electromagnetic field increased the sprouting rate but did not modify the final percentage of germination and sprouting after a 13-week pe riod. The significant increase in growth parameters of seedlings, such as m ain shoot length, axillary shoot formation, and fresh and dry weights of th e emerged shoots, showed that electromagnetic stimulus was beneficial in in creasing the biomass of Quercus suber seedlings.