Induction of genetic variation by electromagnetic fields in Zea mays L. and Brassica napus L.

Effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on some growth parameters, protein content and genetic variations were investigated in early vegetative growth of Brassica napus L. (canola) and Zea mays L. (maize). The seeds of both plants were exposed to EMF treatments. Maize seeds were treated with 0, 3 and 10 mT for 4 h exposure time, and canola seeds were treated with 0, 1 mT for 1 h and 7 mT for 3 h, respectively. Results showed that seed germination increased significantly in maize, and decreased in canola seeds. Root length, shoot length, fresh weigh and dry weight increased significantly in maize and canola as compared to control. Total protein content in maize significantly increased at 3 mT and then decreased in 10 mT for 4 h, but in canola increased protein content under EMF treatments. RAPD analysis showed 104 total bands of 14 primers in maize, out of which 72 bands (about 69.2%) were polymorphic bands, and 65 polymorphic bands (51.6%) in canola were determined from a total of 126 bands. Primers showing maximum number of polymorphic bands were OPM-11 and OPI-07 in maize and OPA-10 in canola. It was found that seed pretreatment to low density of EMF could be used for improving growth and genetic variations in maize and canola plants.