Photobiostimulation of Germination and Early Growth of Wheat Seeds (Triticum aestivum L) by a 980 nm Semiconductor Laser

Abstract

The effect of the exposure of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) seeds to a IR laser radiation with λ = 980nm produced by a semiconductor laser on germination and early growth had been studied under laboratory conditions. Seeds were irradiated to one of two laser intensities 15 mWcm-2 or 30 mWcm-2 for different periods of time 30, 60 or 120 s. Seeds exposed to a light intensity of 15mWcm-2 and an exposition time of 30 s. showed an increase on the percentage of seeds germinated normally while the percentage of seeds germinated abnormally decreased. At the same time there is a stimulation effect on the growth of the stem and on the growth of the root of 10% on wheat seedlings over control seedlings. Significant differences (ρ < 0.001) were observed between the control and the above treatment.