Automatic Germination Evaluation and Qualitative Analysis of Essential Oil of <i>Mentha × piperita</i> L. under the Influence of High Frequency Pulsatile Electromagnetic and Ultrasound Pulsatile Fields

Abstract

The study illustrates the influence of high frequency pulsatile electromagnetic fields and ultrasound pulsatile fields on Mentha × piperita L. seed germination and the quality of its essential oil. The physiological role of the above mentioned experimental factors was considered to be a catalyticall base point, improving germination percent, SVI (seedling vigor index), GVI (germination velocity index). All the biometric aspects of the germination process (seed area, seed perimeter, seed development on x and y radius, radicele length, hypocotyl length) where determined using open free software, consolidating the general idea that scientific communities can improve and perfect open source projects. High frequency pulsatile electromagnetic fields (91.75%) and ultrasound pulsatile fields (64.75%) experimental variants gave higher germination percent compared to control (47.00%). Following the main terpenes determination, the same experimental variants obtained high accumulations of menthol, eugenol, thymol, eucalyptol, linalool and other components. These aspects can be scientifically sustained by the seedling vigor index marks obtained at high frequency pulsatile electromagnetic fields (1985.47) and ultrasound pulsatile fields (1480.09), creating the general premises for better development stages in the nursery sector. Raised accumulation of main therapeutical terpenes in Mentha × piperita L. must be supervised in further studies, when microscopically imagery of glandular trichomes and their density may lead to more profound conclusions.