The Effects of Magnets on Living Plants

Magnetized Water

• Magnetized water increases soil fertility and helps plant cells absorb vitamins. Because solubility and filtering capabilities increase in magnetized water, nutrients dissolve more efficiently. When used for irrigating, less magnetized water is needed. As fertilizers dissolve and reach plant cells more easily in magnetized water, less fertilizer is needed as well. Curious gardeners looking to experiment with magnets often begin by magnetizing plant water.

Magnetized Seeds

• A magnetizer is a piece of equipment used on seeds. According to the magnetizer's patent, registered by Albert R. Davis in 1950, magnetized seeds have high germination rates and increased amounts of protein. While studies are still being conducted on the effects magnetism has on different types of seeds, most types demonstrate accelerated growth. A number of studies also factor in the seeds' exposure to the north or south pole and if the seed is a root plant. The starch molecules, or protoplasm, contained in the roots of potatoes, turnips and carrots determine the effects magnetism has on the plants, which generally causes them to grow better.

Magnetized Fields

• Large magnets placed around plants create a magnetic field. Studies on plants grown in magnetized fields show an increase in strength and nutrients in some plants. For instance, a 1995 study found that rice and onion seeds exposed to a weak magnetic field for 12 hours demonstrated increased germination and longer roots and produced heavier rice and onions than those not exposed to magnetic fields. A 2007 Brazilian study found exposure to magnetic fields increased ethanol in sugarcane by 17 percent. However, several studies conducted on different plants produced contrary results, leading plant scientists to determine that the effect of magnetic fields on growing plants is "species specific."