Effect of Microwave Radiation on the Germination and Growth Characteristics of Maize (Zea Mays)

Abstract

In order to study the effect of microwave radiation on germination and growth characteristics of maize (Zea mays), an experiment was carried out in the year 2010 in seed physiology laboratory at the Department of Agriculture, Urmia University in a factorial experiment with completely randomised blocks design with four replicates. The first factor was three different powers (100, 200 and 300 Ws) and the second factor was five different times (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 s). The results showed the significant differences among interaction between power and time treatments on germination, radicle and stem length, fresh and dry weight, germination rate as well as time of reaching 50% germination (T50) at the probability level of 1%. The highest rate of germination, radicle and stem length was observed in the treatment of 200 Ws power with duration of 90 s. The least rate of germination, radicle and stem length as well as dry weight was found at the treatment of 300 Ws power with maximum time duration. © 2017, Scibulcom Ltd. All rights reserved.