Phyton (Horn, Austria) Vol. 46 Fasc. 2 271-284 11. 6. 2007
The Effects of an Artificial and Static Magnetic Field on
Plant Growth, Chlorophyll and Phytohormone Levels in
Maize and Sunflower Plants
By
Musa TURKER*), Cabir TEMIRCI **), Peyami BATTAL*) and
Mehmet E. EREZ*)
With 5 Figures
Received February 22, 2006
Accepted May 23, 2006
Key words: Chlorophyll, magnetic field, maize, phytohormones, sunflower.
Summary
TURKER M., TEMIRÖ C, BATTAL P. & EREZ M. E. 2007. The effects of an artificial
and static magnetic field on plant growth, chlorophyll and phytohormone levels in
maize and sunflower plants. - Phyton (Horn, Austria) 46 (2): 271-284, 5 figures. -
English with German summary.
In the present study the effects of a continuous static magnetic field (SMF) on
growth and concentration of phytohormones and chlorophylls were investigated in
maize and sunflower plants. SMF was applied in two directions; parallel to gravity
force (field-down) and anti-parallel (field-up). Chlorophyll concentrations decreased
in maize plants, but increased in sunflower in SMF of either direction. Root dry weight
decreased in maize and increased in sunflower plants. The changes of dry weight in
stem and leaf were not significant (p^0.05). The root length decreased in both plant
species. Leaf and stem length increased in maize plants in SMF of either direction.
Leaf length did not change in sunflower, whereas stem length rose in field-down ap-
plication of SMF. Concentrations of gibberellic acid-equivalents (GAs), indole-3-
acetic acid (IAA) and trans-zeatin (t-Z) increased in sunflower plants under field-up
application of SMF, whereas they decreased in SMF of the opposite direction. The
concentration of phytohormones decreased in maize plants in SMF of either direction.
*) M. TURKER, P. BATTAL, M. E. EREZ, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi, Fen-Edebiyat
Fakultesi, Biyoloji Bolumu, 65080, Van, Turkey. E-mail corresponding Author:
musaturker@yahoo.com
**) C. TEMteci, Fizik Bolumu, 65080, Van, Turkey.
©Verlag Ferdinand Berger & Söhne Ges.m.b.H., Horn, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at