Effects of electrostatic fields, ultrasonic vibrations and ultraviolet light on spinach seed

Abstract

Man has been concerned with low seed germination for many years. If one could develop economical seed treatments that would break dormancy of new or hard seeds or stimulate old seeds, he would make an important contribution to the agricultural economy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of some electrically produced treatment on spinach seed.

Seeds were treated between two 6-inch by 6-inch plates, 1-inch apart, at approximately 150 volts rms. Frequencies were 60, 500, and 900 cycles per second. Exposure times were 30, 60, and 90 seconds for each frequency. One sample was treated in an ultrasonic generator at 20 kc for one minute. Another sample was soaked in water for one minute for the wet check. Ultraviolet light at 3654 A and 3129 A was used on other treatments.

Four reps consisting of 100 seeds each were germinated in a refrigerator at about 45°F. After 9 days and 13 days the germination of those treated ultrasonically, the wet check, and those exposed to 3129 A was significantly greater than for the other treatments including the dry check. After 31 days all of the treatments germinated above 82% and there were no significant differences for any of the treatments.

A field study was conducted in which 102 seeds were planted individually five inches apart in beds with rows ten inches apart. Adverse weather conditions caused poor stands which gave unreliable data.

Four reps of 80 seeds each were planted in flats in a greenhouse. After 28 days they were thinned to 10 plants per flat. There were no significant differences in the 28 day emergence or in early growth. Data regarding differences in crop yield were inconclusive.