Abstract

IMPACT OF MICROWAVED SOIL ON GERMINATION OF SEEDS

*Dr. D. Sirisha, Dr. K. Radha, V. J. Shiva Shankari, M. Sravani, K. Monali Sharma, T. Naga lakshmi and M. B. N. L. Sowmya

Abstract

Present study deals with the impact of microwave heated soil on germination of seeds and plant systems. The influence of microwave heated garden soil, road side soil and industrial soil were studied in different seed samples with respect to seed germination and the stem length. For the study a microwave oven was used. Garden soil was taken from the garden of St. Ann’s College For Women, Mehdipatnam and the road side soil sample were collected from outskirts of Banjara hills area and industrial soil sample was taken from kattedan, Rajendranagar. The seed samples of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) were used for comparing the different sources of soil. The microwave power and exposure time on soil samples were maintained as 120 watts, 180 watts and 250 watts for 1 hour. The study on seed germination and stem length was carried out for a period of 21 days. The results indicated that germination of plants was less with microwave heated soil at 250 watts in comparison to soil samples heated at 120 and 180 watts.

Keywords: Germination, microwaves, garden soil, industrial soil road side soil, and microwave treated soil.