A Mini Review on effects of Microwave on Seed Germination

Abstract

Seeds are more resistant and contain more nutrition for the developing embryo as compared to spores. A seed is an embryonic plant encased in a defensive external covering. It develops at the end of sexual reproduction in Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. Fundamentally, each seed contains an embryonic plant, endosperm to nourish the embryo, and an outer seed coat to protect the embryo from unfavourable environmental conditions. EMFr is a non-ionizing and non-thermal radiation. It is classified as Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) (30-300 Hz), Voice Frequency (VF) (300-3000 Hz), Very Low Frequency (VLF) (3-30 KHz), Medium Frequency (MF) (0.3-3 MHz), High Frequency (HF) (3-30 MHz), Very High Frequency (VHF) (3-300 MHz), Ultra High Frequency (UHF) (300-3000 MHz), Super High Frequency (SHF) (3-30 GHz), Extremely High Frequency (EHF) (30-300 GHz) SHF and EHF are microwaves. As some studies suggested an improvement in seed germination after EMFr exposure, it can be exploited in agriculture as well as in horticulture. We can use EMFr on recalcitrant seeds also to improve their storage behaviour.