Effects of static magnetic field on growth, some biochemical and antioxidant system in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) seedlings

Abstract

The effects of magnetic waves as natural environmental factors on the Earths are not well known on plant growth and development. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of static magnetic field (SMF) treatment (4 and 6 mT for 30 and 120 min per day) for eight days on the biomass production, proline contents and total soluble sugar, phenolic compounds, accumulation of H2O2 and MDA along with activity of antioxidant enzymes in lemon balm seedlings. Our results showed that SMF treatments, especially 6 mT and 120 min duration, increased the plant biomass, proline contents, phenolic compounds, H2O2 and MDA accumulation, and reduced the contents of total soluble sugars. The SMF application also increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes compared to untreated seedlings. Our results suggest that SMF treatments induces the antioxidant defense system in the lemon balm seedlings and, by changing the plant metabolism, improves the early vigor of seedlings.