Impact of microwave radiation on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seed germination and seedling growth: Mechanisms, benefits and challenges
IMPACT OF MICROWAVE RADIATION ON SUNFLOWER SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH
123 / 4
Authors
-
RAMA GOVINDA REDDY
Green Fields Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, Hyderabad-500 070, Telangana
-
GANDHI N
Department of Marine Biology, Vikrama Simhapuri University, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
-
JOSEPH
Dept. of Agronomy and Agroforestry, Kaveri University, Gowraram, Telangana
-
SUMER SINGH
Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, Singhania University, Pacheri barri, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
Keywords:
Germination, Growth, Helianthus annuus, Mechanisms, Microwave irradiation, YieldAbstract
This study investigates the germination and growth performance of sunflower seedlings under various microwave irradiation treatments over a 14-dayperiod. The treatments included T1:dry sunflower seeds irradiated with 100 MHz microwave intensity for 5 minutes; T2: dry seeds irradiated with 300 MHz; T3: dry seeds irradiated with 500 MHz; T4: 24 hours pre-soaked seeds irradiated with 100 MHz; T5: 24 hours pre-soaked seeds irradiated with 300 MHz; and T6: 24 hours pre-soaked seeds irradiated with 500 MHz. Germination analysis revealed that on day 4, T4 exhibited the highest germination percentage (35.79%), followed by T5 (43.20%) and T6 (38.88%). By day 10, T5 peaked at 83.94%, significantly outperforming the control group (33.33%). The germination index reached its zenith in T5 (92.59%) by day 12, while the control remained at 40.74%. Mean germination time was longest in T4 (14.00 days) by day 14, and the mean germination rate showed a decline in the control group from 1.23 to 0.07. In the growth analysis, relative growth rates (RGR) steadily increased, with T5 achieving the highest value (0.128) at 75 days. The net assimilation rate (NAR) was initially negative but became positive by day 45, peaking in T4 (0.110). Leaf area ratio (LAR) growth was significant in T5 (0.622) at 75 days, while specific leaf area (SLA) notably increased in all treatments, especially T5 (1.519). The seedling vigor index was highest in T5 (4942.855) at 30 days, compared to the control (722.752). These findings suggest that the combination of 24-hour pre-soaking and 300 MHz microwave irradiation significantly enhances germination, growth, and overall seedling vigor, highlighting its potential for agricultural applications under the studied conditions.
Downloads
References
Abu-Elsaoud A M and Qari S H 2017. Influence of microwave irradiations on germination, seedling growth and electrolyte leakage of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Catrina, 16: 11-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/cat.2017.14255
Aladjadjiyan A 2002. Influence of microwave irradiation on some vitality indices and electro-conductivity of ornamental perennial crops. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 3(4): 28-32.
Amirnia R 2014. Effect of microwave radiation on germination and seedling growth of soybean (Glycine max) seeds. Advances in Environmental Biology, 8: 311-314.
Benlloch T M, Igual M and Rodrigo D 2013. Comparison of microwaves and conventional thermal treatment on enzymes activity and antioxidant capacity of kiwi fruit puree. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, 19: 166-172. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2013.05.007
Ferriss R S 1984. Effects of microwave oven treatment on microorganisms in soil. Phytopathology, 74(1), 121-126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/Phyto-74-121
Gandhi N, Madhan obul reddy M and Madhusudhan Reddy D 2022. Phycoremediation of rice parboiling industry wastewater by micro algae and utilization of treated water for crop production. International journal of scientific research in biological sciences, 9 (1): 01-16.
Gandhi N, Prudhvi Raj I, Maheshwar M and Sirisha D 2017. Germination, seedling growth and biochemical response of Amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolour L.) and Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) at varying Chromium concentrations. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 20(5): 1-16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/IJPSS/2017/38228
Gandhi N, Rahul K, Chandana N, Madhuri B and Mahesh D 2019. Impact of ultraviolet radiation on seed germination, growth and physiological response of Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum L.) and Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum L.). Journal of Biochemistry Research, 2(1): 019-0034.
Gandhi N, Saisri P, Sravani B and Madhusudhan ReddyD 2022a. Impact of microwave radiation on seed germination growth and physiological response of field crops. International Journal of Scientific Research in Multidisciplinary Studies, 8(5): 41 -55.
Gandhi N, Sirisha D and Smita Asthana 2015. Germination of seeds in soil samples of heavy traffic zones of Hyderabad Telangana, India. Environmental Science-An Indian Journal, 10(6): 204-214.
Gandhi N, Sree laxmi D, Madhusudhan Reddy D and Vijaya Ch 2022b. Microwave mediated green synthesis of silica nanoparticles, characterization, antimicrobial activity, promising application in agriculture. World Academic Journal of Engineering Sciences, 9(4): 01-15.
Gandhi N, Sridhar J, Pllavi A 2020. Germination, growth, physiological and biochemical response of Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) under varying concentrations of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and barium (Ba). International Journal of Research and Review. 7(3): 321-347.
Gandhi, N., Sree lekha, A., Priyanka, S 2020. Impact of climatic and edaphic factors on germination, growth, physiological and biochemical response of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). Noble International Journal of Agriculture and Food Technology, 2(8): 54-84.
González Z and Pérez E 2002. Evaluation of lentil starches modified by microwave irradiation and extrusion cooking. Food Research International, 35(5): 415-420. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0963-9969(01)00135-1
Grondeau C and Samson R 1994. A review of thermotherapy to free plant materials from pathogens, especially seeds from bacteria. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 13(1): 57-75. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07352689409701908
Howard L, Talcott S, Brenes C and Villalon B 2000. Changes in phytochemical and antioxidant activity of selected pepper cultivars (Capsicum species) as influenced by maturity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 48(5): 1713-1720. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jf990916t
Kontar A, Valevakhin G, Buryak Y I, Bespalko V, Ogurtsov Y Y and Onischenko O 2015. Seed pre-treatment of grain and vegetable crops by microwave energy. Antenna Theory and Techniques (ICATT). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICATT.2015.7136891
Mohsenkhah M, Mahzoon M and Talei D 2018. Microwave radiation,seed germination and seedling growth responsesin pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Horticulture International Journal, 2(6): 332-336. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15406/hij.2018.02.00072
Nelson S 1987. Potential agricultural applications for RF and microwave energy. Transactions of the ASAE, 30(3): 818-822. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.30480
Ponomarev L, Dolgodvorov V, Popov V, Rodin S and Roman O 1996. The effect oflow-intensityelectromagnetic microwave field on seed germination. Proceedings of Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, 42-46.
Priyamvada D, Sirisha D and Gandhi N 2013. Study on the quality of water and soil from fish pond in around Bhimavaramwest Godavari district, A.P. India. International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2(1): 58-62.
Priyamvada D, Sirisha, D and Gandhi N 2012. Characterization of prawn pond in around bhimavaram, West Godavari district, A.P. International Journal of Research in Chemistry and Environment, 2(1): 251-254.
Smita Asthana, Sirisha D and Gandhi N 2013. Heavy metal analysis in soil samples of heavy traffic zones of Hyderabad, A.P. Journal of Chemical, Biological and Physical Sciences, 3(3): 1376-1381, 2013.
Szopinska D and Dorna, H 2021. The effect of microwave treatment on germination and health of carrot (Daucus carota L.) seeds. Agricultural Sciences, 12: 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122571
Talei D, Valdiani A and Maziah M 2013. Germination response of MR 219 rice variety to different exposure times and periods of 2450 MHz microwave frequency. The Scientific World Journal, 1-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/408026
Tran V N 1979. Effects of microwave energy on the strophiole, seed coat and germination of Acacia seeds. Functional Plant Biology, 6(3): 277-287. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/PP9790277
Vadivambal R, Jayas D and White N 2007. Wheat disinfestation using microwave energy. Journal of Stored Products Research, 43(4): 508-514. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2007.01.007
Wang S and Tang J 2001. Radio frequency and microwave alternative treatments for insect control in nuts: a review. Agricultural Engineering Journal, 10: 105-120.
Zhao Y, Liu J, Qin H, Wang Y and Yang H. 2012. The effect of electrochemical processing on biological behavior of wheat seed germination. International Journal of Electrochemical Science, 7(10): 11313-11322. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1452-3981(23)16946-X
