Effect of Magnetic Field on the Growth of Vigna unguiculata

The effect of low frequency electromagnetic field on cowpea yield was considered in a laboratory by exposing viable cowpea seeds to low frequency electromagnetic field producing magnetic strength of values; 50 mG, 100 mG, 150 mG and 250 mG at a constant exposure time of 30 minutes. Seeds of nearly equal weight were used. These seeds were placed in water for 3 minutes for imbibition and later uniformly put in petri dishes. The experiment had three replicates and five treatments (50 mG, 100 mG, 150 mG, 250 mG and control). The control was kept in place zero magnetic field while each replicate had four seeds. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory at room temperature 35°C. After imbibition and exposure the seeds were planted in pots and transferred to the screen house for growth observations.

Observations made in this study evidently showed that after germination, the growth of seedlings of seeds exposed to magnetic treatment of 100 mG the 3rd day after planting had the highest sprout with emergence percentage of 58.33 compared to other treated seeds and control.