Albert M. Chung
Vassar College, 124 Raymond Avenue, Box 1155 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-1155, USA
Uniform magnetic fields stronger than the Earth's have been documented as having various influences on the physiology and morphology of different plant species. Effects resulting from the manipulation of the magnetic field's orientation have not been thoroughly investigated and relevant studies have demonstrated the effects of magnetic field lines directed either parallel or perpendicular to the planet's surface. In this study, I show that no relationship exists between germination potential and the orientation of the magnetic field in either direction along the axis of the planet's geomagnetic field (p-value > 0.05). I further report a positive relationship between wilting and antiparallel field lines, and a negative association between leaf growth and a reversed magnetic field. An initial surge in the germination rate was observed under the presence of an antiparallel magnetic field. Conversely, initial damping in the germination rate was noted for seeds subjected to parallel field lines. These findings indicate a significant reduction in germination success (p-value < 0.05), initial peak in germination rate, excessive plant wilting, and negative leaf growth due to a magnetic field reversal in the model plant organism, thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana).
Keywords: Magnetic field reversal, wilting, germination, leaf growth, Arabidopsis.