Effects of a magnetic field on the germination of plants

The effects of a nonuniform magnetic field on the germination of plants were studied. When a 10 T magnetic field was applied at the center of a superconducting magnet, a cucumber shoot germinating in a horizontal bore leaned towards the field center. In contrast, the root grew in the direction opposite the shoot. The observed result seemed to have occurred as a result of the magnetic force influencing the geotaxis of the cucumber. This idea was supported qualitatively by analysis results of the experimental data. Knowledge obtained in this study will be helpful for the evaluation of the effect of the magnetic field on living bodies and suggests the possibility of applying magnetic fields in other areas of research. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)79408-9].