Standardization of Electric and Magnetic Field Intensities on Germination Behavior, Seedling Performance, and Physiological Attributes of Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) under Controlled Laboratory Conditions
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Authors
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DEBAL ROY
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS) Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh-211007, India
Author
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PRASHANT KUMAR RAI
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS) Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh-211007, India
Author
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SHIVAM KUMAR RAI
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS) Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh-211007, India
Author
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SANJAY KUMAR
ICAR- Indian Institute of Seed Science (ICAR-IISS), Mau, Uttar Pradesh-275103, India
Author
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VAIDURYA PRATAP SAHI
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS) Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh-211007, India
Author
Keywords:
Proso millet, Panicum miliaceum, Magnetic field, Electric field, Seed germination, Seedling vigour, Nutritional compositionAbstract
Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a nutritionally rich, climate-resilient cereal cultivated in semiarid regions, yet its seedling establishment is often constrained by poor germination and weak early growth. This study evaluated the effects of magnetic and electric field treatments on seed germination, early seedling growth, and nutritional attributes of proso millet under controlled laboratory conditions during the 2024–2025. Eleven treatments, including a non-treated control, six magnetic field intensities (25–150 mT), and four electric field intensities (50–125 mA), were imposed in a Completely Randomized Design with four replications. Seeds were exposed to magnetic fields using cylindrical coil generators and to electric fields via electrolyte-based electrodesystems, followed by germination assessment using the Top of Paper method. Data were recorded for germination
percentage, germination energy, shoot and root length, seedling length, fresh and dry weight, and seedling vigour indices I and II. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects of treatments on all parameters. Magnetic field treatment at 125 mT produced the highest germination (95.58%), germination energy (35.55), shoot (9.23 cm) and root length (10.43 cm), seedling length (19.65 cm), fresh (9.65 g) and dry weight (2.58 g), and vigour indices (1877.94 and 246.07). Electric field treatments enhanced these traits moderately, with maximum improvement observed at 125 mA. Nutritional analysis of seeds exposed to 125 mT showed elevated protein (95.58 g/100 g), fat (35.55 g/100 g), fiber (9.23 g/100 g), and mineral content. These findings indicate that electromagnetic stimulation, particularly magnetic field exposure, significantly enhances germination, seedling vigour, and nutritional quality, providing a sustainable, non-chemical approach to improving proso millet establishment and seed quality.
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