Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on rapid micropropagation of beach plum (Prunus maritima)

In this research, electromagnetic fields of strength gradient 48–115 kA/m were applied, and it was found that the increase in the field strength stimulated the regeneration and growth in the explants. The effect of a 10-min treatment of explants with a strength of 97 kA/m on the regeneration and growth was highest, and the number of the sprouts induced (17.2 ± 1.74) was 2.3 times greater than that in the control group (7.40 ± 0.51). The fresh weight, dry weight and height of the sprouts from the explants treated with a strength of 97 kA/m, in culture medium 2 (MS + 2.0 mg/L ZT + 0.2 mg/L IBA + 30 mg/L Vc), were higher than those in culture medium 1 (MS + 2.0 mg/L ZT + 0.2 mg/L NAA + 30 mg/L Vc) and the control group, and the mean number of the sprouts in culture medium 2 increased 5.2 times, but 3.1 times in culture medium 1. Root length of plantlets from explants treated with a strength of 97 kA/m and optimized rooting medium 1/2MS + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 0.1 mg/L IBA + 30 mg/L bovine serum albumin (BSA) was significantly larger, compared with the control. The average root length was 5.39 ± 0.68 cm. It was concluded that the optimization of culture medium and treatment of explants with a certain magnetic field strength could increase the number of regeneration sprouts and growth.