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Magnetic Field Induced Biochemical and Growth Changes in Date Palm Seedlings

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Date Palm Biotechnology

Abstract

The long life cycle of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) makes genetic improvement through traditional breeding methods a tedious endeavor. Biotech­nology offers advanced tools to augment genetic improvement efforts. In vitro selection technique, a major application of plant biotechnology, allows the isolation of mutant cells and the regeneration of plants exhibiting desired new traits. Mutations can be induced chemically and physically through the exposure to various forms of radiation at appropriate levels. Studies indicate that magnetic fields have the ability to induce biochemical and physiological changes including enhanced plant growth and nutritional value. Although the use of magnetic fields in genetic improvement of date palm is in its infancy, necessary relevant information is beginning to accumulate. This chapter reviews research achievements in this area and addresses biological effects resulting from magnetic field exposure in date palm, in anticipation of future application in mutation studies. The impact of both static and alternating magnetic fields on the content of proline, DNA, photosynthetic pigments and elements are discussed. In addition, magnetic field-induced changes in growth para­meters like weight and water content of both shoot and root systems are described. Exploration of magnetic field in in vitro studies of date palm is yet to be realized but encouraged by the regeneration improvements achieved in other plant species. Considering the effectiveness of magnetic field to modify plant systems, the appli­cation of magnetic field to genetically improve date palm merits further investigation.

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  1. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, 420, Al-Hassa, 31982, Saudi Arabia

    F. Dhawi & J. M. Al-Khayri

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  1. F. Dhawi
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  2. J. M. Al-Khayri
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Correspondence to J. M. Al-Khayri .

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  1. , Department of Applied Biology, University of Helsinki, Latokartanonkaari 5, Helsinki, 00014, Finland

    Shri Mohan Jain

  2. , Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa, 31982, Saudi Arabia

    Jameel M. Al-Khayri

  3. Middlebrook Ave 3726, Cincinnati, 45208, Ohio, USA

    Dennis V. Johnson

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Dhawi, F., Al-Khayri, J.M. (2011). Magnetic Field Induced Biochemical and Growth Changes in Date Palm Seedlings. In: Jain, S., Al-Khayri, J., Johnson, D. (eds) Date Palm Biotechnology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1318-5_15

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