Brazil University Farm Study
Faster emegence and better crop production in lettuce seedling study
OVERVIEW
Seedling formation is one of the most important stages in the product cycle of vegetables. By obtaining and maintaining quality seedlings, they can positively impact everything from healthy plant growth to the number of cycles during the year to the amount of nutrients absorbed. It is also essential for field stability and yield.
With this in mind, Brazil University has sought to study methods for best promoting higher production, while reducing the resources and inputs needed to accomplish their goals. One such method is utilizing specially calibrated magnets and geometry to make water safer and more productive, which in-turn provides greater germination and maximized seedling development.
PROBLEM
With the cost of water growing, the quality of water diminishing, and the amount of rainfall decreasing in many parts of the world, some farmers are having challenges with maintaining quality seedlings. When seedlings are undernourished and grown in less than adequate soil conditions, they are more prone to delayed crop maturity, higher incidences of plant disease, and poor crop quality overall.
SOLUTION
In an effort to test whether Magnation can result in higher quality seedlings and better crop production, the Seedling Nursery of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Espirito Santo conducted a comprehensive study.
The study was designed to test whether or not electromagnetism’s ability to modify the physicochemical structure of water molecules would positively impact seedling and the overall quality of a crop. To accomplish this the university used a Magnation Rainbolt, which employs alternating magnets to bust salts, reduce mineral scale, improve soil infiltration, improve moisture, and boost soil health.
METHODOLOGY
To test its effectiveness, seeds were arranged in 200-cell Styrofoam trays, which were first filled with commercial substrate (Tropstrato) for subsequent sowing process. Some of the seeds were passed through the magnetizers and then planted in the trays.
There were a total of five treatments for each studied plant species and four replications were performed for each treatment. There were a total of 1,000 seeds per species studied— which included lettuce, eggplant, cucumber, pepper, and okra.
The effects of magnetization were evaluated after 18 days after planting the lettuce crop, 24 days for eggplant, 11 days for cucumber, 37 days for pepper, and 17 days for okra.
It was revealed that lettuce cultivation showed positive results, especially surrounding the emergence of speed index (IVE), average emergence time (TME), and percentage of emergence (E). As can be observed on the following chart, T3 and T4 represents the sections treated with Magnation-treated water:The data reveals a significant increase in the percentage of emergence. This is extremely important when considering the overall health of seedlings and successful crops. Additionally, the emergence of speed (IVE) and average emergence time (TME) measurements are important as farmers seem to grow crops in a timely and efficient manner. The better these measurements, the more likely less water will be needed for the crop, maintenance time decreased, and overall growth more abundant.
The other vegetables in the study did not see any significant changes; however, researchers think this has to do with the intensity of the magnetization. A 2005 study found that a cucumber seed saw increased development with a 450 mT magnetic field. This is 250 mT less than the the Rainbolt unit that was installed for the test. Thus, the university concluded that more research needs to be done for all non-lettuce vegetables.
CONCLUSION
The university concluded that “irrigation with magnetized water with the projected and commercial equipment proved to be beneficial to the lettuce crop, in the parameters of emergence speed index, means emergence time, and percentage of emergence.”
This is significant because lettuce is one of the best methods for testing new, groundbreaking technologies.
“Because of its rapid growth, it is easy to see if a particular treatment has an influence on the culture.”
In the case of the Magnation Rainbolt, the study reveals several implications for the farming world, especially where seedlings are concerned: (1) If the right appropriate magnetic field is applied to seedlings (in this case 250mT was ideal for lettuce), crops can significantly grow faster and with more efficiency, (2) water can be saved due to faster growing times, and (3) maintenance costs can be reduced.
The secret for success as the farming industry moves forward is to identify which magnetic field levels work best for each type of vegetable seedling. Once this occurs, Magnation can provide the exact solution that will lead to the best possible results.