Abstract
The effects of electromagnetic treatment of hard-alkaline well water on water quality and flower seed germination, rooting of cuttings and plant growth have been studied, compared with natural well water, rain water, distilled water and tap water. According to the germination test, water quality has not significantly affected germination percentage and shoots length, but effects were significant on root length and root dry weight. Electromagnetic treated water increased the root dry weight by 11%. In the rooting experiment only root dry weight of African violet and Coleus were affected by different water supply and electromagnetically treated water increased root dry weight by 10% compared to natural well water. Electromagnetic treatment decreased both water alkalinity, hardness, pH, EC and growing media pH, Ca, Mg and lime deposition but those not significantly effected plant growth, branching, flower number/plant and shoot dry weight as compared to natural well water. Because of relatively short vegetation period and low pH of peat, detrimental effects of hard-alkaline water on flower growth were not observed. However, relatively higher mineral concentration in natural well water and electromagnetic treated water increased the plant height, branch number/plant and shoot dry weight, but not flower number/plant as compared to distilled water and rain water.
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