Abstract: The effects of electromagnetic treatment of hard-alkaline well water
on water quality and flower seed germination, rooting of cuttings and plant
growth have been studied, compared with natural well water, rain water,
distilled water and tap water. According to the germination test, water quality
has not significantly affected germination percentage and shoots length, but
effects were significant on root length and root dry weight. Electromagnetic
treated water increased the root dry weight by 11%. In the rooting experiment
only root dry weight of African violet and Coleus were affected by different
water supply and electromagnetically treated water increased root dry weight by
10% compared to natural well water. Electromagnetic treatment decreased both
water alkalinity, hardness, pH, EC and growing media pH, Ca, Mg and lime
deposition but those not significantly effected plant growth, branching, flower
number/plant and shoot dry weight as compared to natural well water. Because of
relatively short vegetation period and low pH of peat, detrimental effects of
hard-alkaline water on flower growth were not observed. However, relatively
higher mineral concentration in natural well water and electromagnetic treated
water increased the plant height, branch number/plant and shoot dry weight, but
not flower number/plant as compared to distilled water and rain water.
Keywords: Electromagnetic water treatment, germination, rooting, growth
