Modeling
M. Rafiei; F. Khoshnam; M. Namjoo
Abstract
In the current study, the modeling and optimization of various seedling growth and germination indices for parsley seeds were investigated. A lab-scale quadrupole magnetic field was developed, and experiments were conducted using a completely randomized factorial design with three replications. The factors ...
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In the current study, the modeling and optimization of various seedling growth and germination indices for parsley seeds were investigated. A lab-scale quadrupole magnetic field was developed, and experiments were conducted using a completely randomized factorial design with three replications. The factors considered were magnetic field intensity (150, 300, and 450 mT), exposure time (30, 60, and 90 minutes), and culture time (0, 7, and 14 days after applying the magnetic field). The results revealed that the magnetic field significantly affected shoot length, fresh root weight, and fresh shoot weight, while exposure time significantly impacted root length. Sowing day also significantly influenced root length and fresh root weight, along with other factors. Immediate sowings after magnetic field application enhanced root length, while sowing 14 days following the exposure increased shoot length, fresh root weight, and fresh shoot weight. A 30-minute exposure to magnetic field intensities of 150 to 300 mT did not significantly affect seedling growth parameters. However, higher field strengths of 450 mT for 60 to 90 minutes proved beneficial, leading to enhanced shoot length, fresh root weight, fresh shoot weight, germination rate, germination percentage, and reduced mean germination time. The analysis and optimization using Response Surface Methodology revealed that the optimal magnetization condition, with a desirability of 0.682, was achieved at a magnetic field of 450 mT, an exposure time of 60 minutes, and sown 14 days post-exposure. Higher magnetic fields appeared to enhance field durability and significantly impact seedling growth indices.
M. Fereydoni; H. Haji Agha Alizaheh
Abstract
IntroductionAs the world's population grows, more food need to be produced. Plasma technology is one of the methods that can improve plant growth. Cold plasma is effective in increasing growth and germination indices. In this article, the effect of cold plasma based on corona discharge was investigated ...
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IntroductionAs the world's population grows, more food need to be produced. Plasma technology is one of the methods that can improve plant growth. Cold plasma is effective in increasing growth and germination indices. In this article, the effect of cold plasma based on corona discharge was investigated on germination of Adel, Mansur, and Azad chickpea varieties.Materials and MethodsIn the corona discharge method, a relative vacuum should be used. Corona discharge is formed when there are pronounced spatial in-homogeneities in the electric field, in particular, when the electric field exceeds the breakdown threshold in a limited spatial region. This commonly occurs when highly asymmetric electrodes are employed, such as a point and a plane. Thermodynamically corona is a very non-equilibrium process, creating a non-thermal plasma. The avalanche mechanism does not release enough energy to heat the gas in the corona region generally and ionize it, as occurs in an electric arc or spark. Only a small number of gas molecules take part in the electron avalanches and are ionized, having energies close to the ionization energy of 1- 3 ev, the rest of the surrounding gas is close to ambient temperature. Corona discharge is a weakly ionized non-equilibrium plasma based on the avalanche mechanism. If it reaches a close distance with a conductive material or increase the electrical field, it can create longer breakdown streamers and eventually create sparks. The system is designed to convert 220V voltage with a frequency of 50 Hz to 12 kV voltage with a frequency of 9 kHz. Two electrodes with a 2 cm distance are in a vacuum chamber with a negative pressure of 20 pounds per square inch. And the samples are placed between two electrodes. Experiment was performed in form of a.factorial experimental design based on a CRD. In this plan, treatments are randomly placed in experimental units. The type of factorial experiment performed is 3×3×2×2 and multiplied numbers are factor levels. Seed production year factor in two levels, moisture factor in two levels, Seed variety factor in three levels, and exposure duration factor in three levels were examined. Plasma-exposed seeds and non-exposed seeds were grown under the same conditions. The samples were selected completely randomly. The samples were wetted 24 hours before exposure. Then all 18 chickpeas were placed in a dish in order to observe proper repetition. Samples from each dish were exposed to cold plasma under the same conditions between samples for a specified period of time. After exposing the samples to cold plasma, samples of all dishes under the same conditions at 30 °C and 300 lux environmental light were examined for germination evaluation. For this purpose, samples of each dish were placed in a cover of cotton cloth. They got wet every 4 hours. After 48 hours, all samples were examined and the root length of each sample was measured.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that seeds exposed to plasma for 60 seconds had a faster germination speed than those without exposure. Also, seeds that were exposed to plasma for 30 seconds had a longer root length than those without exposure. According to the results of statistical analysis, exposure to cold plasma for 30 seconds has increased root length in Adel chickpea variety up to 12.5% and in Mansour variety up to 18%.ConclusionAfter statistical analysis, appear that root length under the same conditions, during 30 seconds of exposure to cold plasma, is significant at 5% level from non-exposure and 60 seconds of exposure. Microscopic images of samples were examined on the outer surface and inner tissue of seed cell. Studies have shown that the outer surfaces of seeds exposed to cold plasma are smoother, less prominent and smaller contact angle than those without exposure to plasma. This change can increase the hydrophilicity of seeds. But cold plasma had no effect on cell tissue in terms of size and number.
