Abstract

Among the main environmental problems in arid and semi arid regions is the shortage of freshwater. To overcome this problem, lower quality-water, such as saline groundwater, is widely used. The use of saline water after magnetization could be a solution of the problem of water scarcity. This study examines the effects of water magnetic treatment on physiological responses of tomato seedlings. These plants were subjected to two kind of irrigation: potable water (EC: 2.5 mS/cm) and saline water from groundwater (EC: 7.5 mS/cm). The results collected during this study suggest that the effects of magnetic treatment varied with the type of irrigation water used. In particular, the magnetic treatment of saline water increased tomato dry weight significantly as compared to potable water. Irrigation with magnetic saline water indicate some beneficial effect on the seed germination, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance of tomato seedlings under controlled environmental conditions. The malondialdehyde content in leaves decreased when the tomato seedlings was irrigated with potable water, magnetic potable water and magnetic saline water, but increased with non magnetized saline water. The malondialdehyde content and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in leaves increased significantly with irrigation by non magnetized saline water. The positive effects were more pronounced for magnetic treatment of saline water. This study suggests that the effects of magnetic treatments act as a protective factors against water salinity.

Key Words:  Water magnetic treatment, Seedlings growth, Antioxidant enzymes, Physiological responses

DOI: https://ejesm.org/doi/v11i2.2