Germination Responses of Selected Plant Species to RF Electrical Seed Treatment

SEEDS of more than 80 plant species were exposed to radiofrequency (RF) dielectric heating treatment and tested to determine whether germination of the seed lots might be improved by the treatments. Most were treated at a frequency of about 40 MHz, but 10-MHz and 2,450-MHz microwave treatments were included in several studies. Seed lot and treatment descriptions and seed lot germination responses are summarized concisely in tabular form. Some small-seeded legumes such as alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., red clover, Trifolium pratense L., and arrowleaf clover, Trifolium vesiculosum Savi, responded well with substantial increases in normal-seedling germination and corresponding reductions in hard-seed content. No improvement in germination was achieved with many kinds of seed, but many others responded favorably, either with increases in germination or accelerated germination.