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Abstract
Laboratory and field trials were conducted during the early summer of 2005 and 2006 seasons to valuate the effect of pre-sowing magnetic seed treatments and irrigation with magnetized water on germination, seedling emergence, plant growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) cv. Castlrock, under field conditions. Tomato seeds were exposed to different magnetic field strengths of 100, 150 and 200 Gauss for 1, 5, 10 and 15 minutes, then seeds were germinated under distilled water or saline concentration levels of 2500; 5000 and 7500 ppm. Magnetic field treatments increased seed germination percentage and reduced the time required for germination and also improved seed germination under saline stress conditions. The magnetic field strength of 100 Gauss and the exposure period for 15 min gave the best results. In the nursery, magnetic seed treatment and the irrigation with magnetized water led to significant increase in stem length and diameter, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of tomato transplants. In the field, plants derived from magnetically-treated seeds and/or irrigated with magnetized water gave higher and heavier vegetative growth, higher leaf chlorophyll reading and nitrogen concentration than control plants (grown from untreated seeds and watered with tap water only). In addition, magnetic treatment caused significant increment in early and total fruit yield.