Influence of a stationary magnetic field on water relations in lettuce seeds. Part II: Experimental results

An experimental study on water absorption by lettuce seeds previously treat ed in a stationary magnetic field of 0-10 mT is presented. A significant in crease in the rate with which the seeds absorb water is observed in the int erval 0-10 mT of magnetic treatment. An increment in the total mass of abso rbed water in this interval is also observed. These results are consistent with the reports on the increase of germination rate of the seeds, and the theoretical calculation of the variations induced by magnetic fields in the ionic currents across the cellular membrane. The fields originate in chang es in the ionic concentration and thus in the osmotic pressure which regula tes the entrance of water to the seeds. The good correlation between the th eoretical approach and experimental results provides strong evidence that t he magnetic field alters the water relations in seeds, and this effect may be the explanation of the reported alterations in germination rate of seeds by the magnetic field. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.