Soybean (Glycine max) germination response to static magnetic field treatment

The focus of the present research is to evaluate the influence of a static magnetic field (SMF) on the germination and early growth of four soybean cultivars (Adelfia, Adessa, Pamela, and Abelina). Seeds were exposed to magnetic induction of 250 mT and 500 mT for 3 and 12 min. The results demonstrate that SMF treatment significantly enhanced seed vigour and germination kinetics, particularly in cultivars with lower initial quality (Adelfia, Pamela). The most pronounced improvement in the Seed Vigour Index (SVI) was observed in cv. Adessa (77.9% increase) and cv. Adelfia (74.4% increase) under 500 mT for 3 min compared to the control (p < 0.05), without exposure to the SMF. While the highest absolute vigour values were achieved by cv. Abelina under 250 mT and 500 mT for 3 min. Therefore, the study highlights that shorter exposure times (3 min) are more effective across all genotypes. These findings suggest that SMF can serve as an efficient, non-chemical tool for seed invigoration in sustainable soybean production.