In part A, 1 min treatment of cucumber seeds demonstrated a strong increase in the germination rate of
treated seeds (99.2±1.3%) compared with the non-treated ones (90.4±4.5%) and the increase of root/shoot
lengths of seedlings. A positive effect of DC on germination viability of beans in unfavorable conditions
was observed. In part B, plants with electrodes applied to the roots/soil demonstrated a significant
increase in stem lengths measured in % to original (35.4±1.8%). The insertion of anodes to the stems also
showed an increase (26.3±1.0%), while no effect was observed for insertion of cathodes to the stems. The
significant increase of the number of leaves and buds was noticed in the same two groups.
Conclusions/Discussion
The results indicate: 1) DC treatment of cucumber seeds increases their germination rate and induces
growth of seedlings; 2) DC treatment can increase germination viability of beans; 3) the sweet pepper
seedlings develop faster under exposure to DC with negative electrodes connected to the stems and with
both electrodes applied to the roots. These results can be explained by the activating effect of DC on plant
hormones that stimulate a metabolism of seedlings and by the intensified nutritional cations uptake while
roots of plants are exposed to DC or negative electrodes are applied to stems. The found results can be
used in agriculture