Growth and Yield Performance of Pechay (Brassica napus L.) in Hydroponics System as Influenced by Magnetic Field (Galvan et al. 2021)

Key Findings

• Plant height was significantly affected (p<0.01) by magnet number at 7-28 DAT; at harvest (28 DAT), height increased 24.7% in the 18-magnet treatment vs. control (31.8 cm vs 25.5 cm).
• Number of leaves, leaf length, and leaf area were all significantly increased (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01 respectively) with increasing magnet number; leaf length increased 9.79-18.56% and leaf area increased 26.65-47.93% vs. control.
• Root length increased significantly (p<0.01) with magnet number: 15.7 cm (control), 18.9 cm (6 magnets, +20.38%), 21.0 cm (12 magnets, +33.76%), and 23.0 cm (18 magnets, +46.50%).
• Fresh weight increased significantly (p<0.01) with magnet number, peaking at +25.31% (12 magnets) and +34.97% (18 magnets) vs. control (65.2 g).
• All measured growth and yield parameters (height, leaf count, leaf length, leaf area, root length, fresh weight) showed a positive dose-response relationship with the number of magnets used to treat the recirculating nutrient solution.
• Proposed mechanism: magnetic field alters nutrient solution surface tension, solvency, pH, EC, and TDS, increasing nutrient mobilization/absorption and activating enzymes/hormones involved in nutrient transport.

A Philippine study (Cagayan State University) testing magnetized hydroponic nutrient solution on pechay (Brassica napus L.) using a dose-response design: 0, 6, 12, or 18 permanent magnets arranged around the recirculating nutrient solution pipe in a randomized complete block design.

Consistent dose-response across all measured parameters: Every growth and yield metric tracked - plant height, leaf count, leaf length, leaf area, root length, and fresh weight - increased monotonically with the number of magnets used to treat the recirculating nutrient solution, with statistical significance at p<0.01 for most parameters. At the highest dose (18 magnets), plant height increased 24.7%, leaf area increased up to 47.93%, root length increased 46.50%, and fresh weight increased 34.97% relative to the unmagnetized control.

Root and leaf growth as the apparent drivers: The authors attribute the fresh weight increase to compounding effects of enhanced root growth (better nutrient/water extraction) and enhanced leaf area (greater light interception and photosynthetic capacity) - consistent with the broader magnetized-water literature where root system enhancement is a recurring early-stage finding.

Mechanistic framing: Consistent with the established Magnetic Water Hydrogen-Bond Restructuring mechanism - the authors cite changes to nutrient solution surface tension, solvency, pH, electrical conductivity, and TDS as the proximate cause, facilitating nutrient absorption and triggering hormone/enzyme activity that drives growth.

Practical relevance: This is one of relatively few magnetoculture studies set in a recirculating hydroponic system rather than soil irrigation, and the simple dose-response design (varying only magnet count) provides a clean gradient. The monotonic, statistically significant response across six independent growth parameters strengthens confidence that the effect is real, even though the study is from a single crop, single site, and regional journal.

Source: Galvan JPD, Adorio MD, Simon MRAC, Razote RP. Growth and yield performance of pechay (Brassica napus L.) in hydroponics system as influenced by magnetic field. International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research 2021; 19(1): 1-8.