Influence of a stationary magnetic field on water relations in lettuce seeds. Part I: Theoretical considerations

The theoretical calculation about the dependence of the ionic current density across the cellular membrane on the intensity of the magnetic field applied to cellular tissue is presented. This interaction induces changes in the magnitude of the ionic current density across the cellular membrane and in the ionic concentration, and it also causes alterations in the osmotic pressure and in the capacity of the cellular tissues to absorb water. The magnetic field dependence of the ionic current densities J(p) (B) (positive ions) and J(n) (B) (negative ions), the membrane conductivity sigma (B), the ionic concentration in both membrane sides c(B), the osmotic pressure pi (B), and the water uptake rate by seeds k(w)(B) are presented. The increase in water uptake rate due to the applied magnetic field may be the explanation of the recently reported increase in the germination speed of the seeds treated with stationary magnetic fields. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.