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Magnetic Treatment Reduces Water Usage in Irrigation Without Negatively Impacting Yield, Photosynthesis and Nutrient Uptake in Lettuce

Received: 15 July 2017     Accepted: 28 July 2017     Published: 6 September 2017
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Abstract

Drought conditions in the Southwestern U. S. and other parts of the world, the potential future impacts of climate change and politically-charged decisions regarding the allocation of water resources continue to challenge the agricultural community to find ways to successfully grow necessary food crops using less irrigation water. In addition, in many parts of the U. S., high levels of certain salts render ground water supplies unusable for salt-sensitive crops. Salt accumulation in soil and in tissues can also be a problem when water conservation methods are applied. Methods that save water and counteract salt accumulation are needed. Historically, magnetic water treatment (MWT) has shown promise in addressing both concerns though results have been inconsistent and somewhat controversial. This study evaluated the effect of MWT on lettuce yield, photosynthetic activity and nutrient levels under various irrigation reduction regimes. In addition, Watermark soil moisture sensors from Irrometer were used to measure the matric potential of root-depth soil of MWT, and non-MWT plants under those same regimes. Results indicated that statistically significant increases in yield, total chlorophyll and concentrations of some macro and micro-nutrients in plants treated by MWT could be achieved while using significantly less water compared to non-MWT irrigation water. In addition, MWT may also help counteract the effect of harmful sodium buildup in plants when less irrigation water was used.

Published in International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13
Page(s) 117-122
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2017. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Magnetic Water Treatment, Agriculture, Crop Yield, Irrigation, Water Treatment

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Vladimir Zlotopolski. (2017). Magnetic Treatment Reduces Water Usage in Irrigation Without Negatively Impacting Yield, Photosynthesis and Nutrient Uptake in Lettuce. International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences, 3(5), 117-122. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13

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    ACS Style

    Vladimir Zlotopolski. Magnetic Treatment Reduces Water Usage in Irrigation Without Negatively Impacting Yield, Photosynthesis and Nutrient Uptake in Lettuce. Int. J. Appl. Agric. Sci. 2017, 3(5), 117-122. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13

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    AMA Style

    Vladimir Zlotopolski. Magnetic Treatment Reduces Water Usage in Irrigation Without Negatively Impacting Yield, Photosynthesis and Nutrient Uptake in Lettuce. Int J Appl Agric Sci. 2017;3(5):117-122. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13,
      author = {Vladimir Zlotopolski},
      title = {Magnetic Treatment Reduces Water Usage in Irrigation Without Negatively Impacting Yield, Photosynthesis and Nutrient Uptake in Lettuce},
      journal = {International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences},
      volume = {3},
      number = {5},
      pages = {117-122},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijaas.20170305.13},
      abstract = {Drought conditions in the Southwestern U. S. and other parts of the world, the potential future impacts of climate change and politically-charged decisions regarding the allocation of water resources continue to challenge the agricultural community to find ways to successfully grow necessary food crops using less irrigation water. In addition, in many parts of the U. S., high levels of certain salts render ground water supplies unusable for salt-sensitive crops. Salt accumulation in soil and in tissues can also be a problem when water conservation methods are applied. Methods that save water and counteract salt accumulation are needed. Historically, magnetic water treatment (MWT) has shown promise in addressing both concerns though results have been inconsistent and somewhat controversial. This study evaluated the effect of MWT on lettuce yield, photosynthetic activity and nutrient levels under various irrigation reduction regimes. In addition, Watermark soil moisture sensors from Irrometer were used to measure the matric potential of root-depth soil of MWT, and non-MWT plants under those same regimes. Results indicated that statistically significant increases in yield, total chlorophyll and concentrations of some macro and micro-nutrients in plants treated by MWT could be achieved while using significantly less water compared to non-MWT irrigation water. In addition, MWT may also help counteract the effect of harmful sodium buildup in plants when less irrigation water was used.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Magnetic Treatment Reduces Water Usage in Irrigation Without Negatively Impacting Yield, Photosynthesis and Nutrient Uptake in Lettuce
    AU  - Vladimir Zlotopolski
    Y1  - 2017/09/06
    PY  - 2017
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13
    T2  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
    JF  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
    JO  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
    SP  - 117
    EP  - 122
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2469-7885
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20170305.13
    AB  - Drought conditions in the Southwestern U. S. and other parts of the world, the potential future impacts of climate change and politically-charged decisions regarding the allocation of water resources continue to challenge the agricultural community to find ways to successfully grow necessary food crops using less irrigation water. In addition, in many parts of the U. S., high levels of certain salts render ground water supplies unusable for salt-sensitive crops. Salt accumulation in soil and in tissues can also be a problem when water conservation methods are applied. Methods that save water and counteract salt accumulation are needed. Historically, magnetic water treatment (MWT) has shown promise in addressing both concerns though results have been inconsistent and somewhat controversial. This study evaluated the effect of MWT on lettuce yield, photosynthetic activity and nutrient levels under various irrigation reduction regimes. In addition, Watermark soil moisture sensors from Irrometer were used to measure the matric potential of root-depth soil of MWT, and non-MWT plants under those same regimes. Results indicated that statistically significant increases in yield, total chlorophyll and concentrations of some macro and micro-nutrients in plants treated by MWT could be achieved while using significantly less water compared to non-MWT irrigation water. In addition, MWT may also help counteract the effect of harmful sodium buildup in plants when less irrigation water was used.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

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