Why Do Magnets Help to Grow Bean Plants Faster?

Observations

• Since the 19th century, numerous scientific studies have investigated the effect of magnetic fields on plant growth. Today in the field of biomagnetism, a handful of researchers and companies purport the benefits of magnets in agriculture. These theories start from the belief that everything, including humans, animals and plants, has its own magnetic field and frequency and reacts in response to magnetic fields. Many theorists and followers of the field have observed that certain magnetic frequencies and other magnetic factors tend to promote the vigor and growth of seeds and plants. But the field is not entirely taken seriously by mainstream science, and few U.S. scientists are concerned with explaining or exploring experimental results.

Magnetic Frequencies

• Although there is some demonstrated evidence that magnetic frequencies affect plant growth, the reasons are not well understood. Some evidence suggests that plant cells exhibit natural frequencies and are energized when the magnetic field's frequency resonates with their own. Scientists at National Taiwan University found that mung beans exhibited improved growth when exposed to a magnetic frequency of 60 Hz, perhaps because mung beans naturally exhibit this frequency. The calcium ions in the plants were thus excited into motion when their frequency neared, improving their growth rate.

Physical Explanations

• Some purported evidence also suggests that charging water with south pole magnets can create a positive charge, soften water and reduce surface tension, which may help stimulate root growth of seeds and plants grown in polarized water. By placing the south end of a bar magnet (not a U-shaped magnet) in water, you can polarize that water and supposedly see benefits from soaking and irrigating seeds. According to some scientists, root vegetables and peas tend to benefit from this the most, while beans and corn see better results from north polarization, but little explanation exists for these differences.

Polarity

• Some scientists explain that the effects of magnetism on plant growth are due to the plant's ability to sense polarity and grow better in response to certain polarities. The reason behind the differences is not well explained. According to some, the south pole benefits seed and plant growth while the north pole encourages taller, thinner growth. For beans, the north pole seems to be the beneficial polarization. They may respond to this polarization and grow quicker and bigger as a result. These responses are still theories and are not well established in science.