Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Enhancement in Growth and Yield of Mushroom using Magnetic Field Treatment med./bio.

Published in: Int Agrophys 2012; 26 (4): 375-380

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of an extremely low frequency magnetic field on mushroom spawn growth and yield.

Background/further details

Most species of Pleurotus are edible. Especially, the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is widely cultivated. An increasing yield through magnetic fields could be economically interesting.
The mycelium was exposed at different magnetic flux densities (5, 15, 25 and 100 mT) and for different time periods (2, 5 and 15 minutes).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2, 5, or 15 minutes
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2, 5, or 15 minutes
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2, 5, or 15 minutes
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: for 2, 5, or 15 minutes

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration for 2, 5, or 15 minutes
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber spawn was exposed in Petri dishes held between the poles of the electromagnet
Setup two pairs of cylindrical coils, each formed of 4,000 turns of 0.42 mm enamelled copper wire; each coil was wound 10 cm apart on an iron bar; two bars were placed one above the other
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 5 mT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration for 2, 5, or 15 minutes
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 15 mT - measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration for 2, 5, or 15 minutes
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 25 mT - measured - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration for 2, 5, or 15 minutes
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 100 mT - measured - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposure of the mycelium resulted in significantly increased numbers of pin heads and mature mushrooms as well as wet and dry masses in comparison to the control group. Especially, the combinations 5 mT for 15 minutes, 15 mT for 15 minutes, 25 mT for 15 minutes and 100 mT for 2 minutes showed superior effects. No significant difference was found in the duration until pin heads appeared between the exposure groups and the control group.
The authors conclude that exposure of mushroom mycelium to extremely low frequency magnetic fields could be used practically to obtain higher yields.

Study character:

Study funded by

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