Effects of an electromagnetic field on cassava root growth (cv. Rayong 72) under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

An electromagnetic field is electrical energy that occurs in nature. There exist free charges that influence the evolutionary process of living, which have created a safe and new alternative way to develop crop production.  This investigation aimed to study the optimal management of time and resources of an electromagnetic field for cassava root development (cv. Rayong 72). Our experiment was conducted in 4x3 factorial arrangements, in a completely randomized design (CRD), with four replications. The two experimental variables were: 1) four simulation times; 0, 15, 30, and 45 minutes; and 2) three levels of electromagnetic field intensity; 30, 40, and 50 milli Tesla (mT). The root physiology; total root length, total root surface area, root length/volume, root volume, number of root tips, root average diameter, root width, and root surface area were measured to test the effect of each electromagnetic field at 30 days after planting (DAP) under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the interaction between time (45 minutes) and electromagnetic field intensity (30, 40, and 50 mT) produced the highest total root length, total root surface area, root length/volume, root volume, number of root tips, root diameter, root width, and surface area in Rayong 72 cassava. Additionally, changes in total root length  correlated with the total root surface area (r = +0.7295**), root length per volume (r = +0.6509**), root volume (r = +0.6539**), number of root tips (r = +0.6919**), root diameter (+0.3149*), root width (r = +0.1197), and root surface area (r = +0.7130**); whereas a negative correlation existed between root length and increased volume (*Significantly different at p < 0.05, **Significantly different at p > 0.01). The increased diameter directly affected root width (r = -0.1000), resulting in decreased root width (r = -0.0360).