Halimeh Hassanpour - Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran ۱۴۶۶۵-۸۳۴, Iran
Minoo Nasiri - Department of Plant Sciences, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Iran

The magnetic field is an environmental factor which naturally applies to live organisms at a lower intensity of 100 microtesla (μT) from the Earth. Using electronic devices in everyday life cause to increase of electromagnetic field intensities and can affect many biological processes of living organisms including plants. In this research, different intensities of magnetic fields (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 μT) were applied on the Physalis alkekengi seedlings under in vitro conditions and then were harvested for physiological and biochemical analyzes after 4 weeks. Results showed magnetic field induced a significant change in fresh and dry weights comparing to control and the highest growth rate was observed at 6 μT. Magnetic field up to 6 μT decreased gradually malondialdehyde content comparing to control, but at 8 μT increased this parameter. Proline content increased with the increase of magnetic field intensity and showed a 36.2% increase of proline at 6 μT comparing to control. It seems that magnetic field at proper intensity can be used as a tool for plant resistance to environmental stresses with increasing membrane stability and osmotic adjustment.

Physalis alkekengi, Magnetic field, Proline, Malondialdehyde