Evaluation of the effect of magnetic field on rapeseed growth and the causal agent of blackleg disease, Phoma lingam

Abstract

In recent years, with the increased production of oilseed rape, there has been a simultaneous enhancement in reports on pathogens causing diseases. Magnetic technology has been recognized as a new agricultural method aimed at improving health and crop production. In this work, the effect of magnetic fields was studied on the mycelial growth and conidia formation of Leptosphaeria maculans Gol125 and Leptosphaeria biglobosa KH36, the causal agents of Phoma stem cancer (blackleg) disease in rapeseed. In addition, seeds exposed to eight direct frequencies of magnetic fields were impregnated with pathogen suspension and grown under greenhouse conditions. The growth speed of both pathogen isolates decreased by 1–28% in GOL125 and 6–46% in KH36 over time in cultures exposed to magnetic fields. However, the number of conidia increased significantly under magnetic field exposure, reaching 5.4 × 107 and 7.7 × 107 SFU/ml in KH36 and GOL125 isolates, respectively. Furthermore, in greenhouse conditions, an increase in photosynthetic pigment levels was observed in almost all of the magnetic field-treated plants. In addition, disease incidence decreased by around 6% in the magnetic field-treated plants. This study represents the first evaluation of magnetic technology in controlling plant diseases. The use of magnetic fields may present a viable strategy for a sustainable production system; however, it requires further advanced studies to improve plant health and productivity.

Keywords

• leptosphaeria species
• magnetic fields
• disease incidence
• photosynthetic pigments