Pulsed magnetic field impact on adaptation and vegetation of strawberry microplants (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.)

Abstract

Microplant adaptation to non-sterile conditions is critical in clonal micropropagation providing for plant establishment and the overall method efficiency. Various techniques are employed to facilitate microplant establishment, including physical exposures like pulsed magnetic field. The study aimed to investigate the effect of pulsed magnetic field on establishment during adaptation to non-sterile conditions and subsequent vegetation of adapted strawberry plants. Research focused on strawberry microplants of the Tsaritsa and Nashe Podmoskovye cultivars originated by the All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery. Magnetic pulse treatment (MPT) was carried out with an AMIS-8 magnetic stimulator developed at the Institute. A positive impact of some MPT modes on microplant establishment, leaf and stolon formation was registered during strawberry adaptation to non-sterile conditions. Relatively low frequencies of 0.8-21  Hz exerted best effect in strawberry for most criteria. MPT contributed to an 11.5 % improvement in microplant establishment in Nashe Podmoskovye and 23.1 % —  in Tsaritsa cultivars vs. no treatment. In best MPT assays, the number of leaves increased by 9.2—15.4 % and of stolons — 6.2-6.5 times in adapted strawberry plants compared to control. No significant inter-varietal differences were observed in Nashe Podmoskovye and Tsaritsa for vegetation criteria during adaptation to non-sterile conditions.