Germination Studies of Soybeans as a Biofuel Resource using Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields

Summary form only given. A comparative study of biofuels made from the oils of canola, soybean, and olive has shown that soybean biofuel is the most efficient, with the highest energy emitted per gram per second. If manufactured correctly, biofuels have the potential to have energy output that can compete with fossil fuels. Thus there is a need to study the optimization of soybean as biofuel resources through the maximization of yield, plant growth and its protection against disease etc. Bio stimulation is one such optimization method and is accomplished through a host of bio stimulants such as i) Electromagnetic stimulation, ii) Magnetic stimulation, iii) Radiation with laser light, iv) Radiation of live organisms with ultraviolet (UV-rays), gamma rays, ultrasound, ionized radiation etc. Since it does not leave any toxic residue, both electromagnetic and magnetic fields are unique as bio stimulators. The germination of rice, barley, and lettuce seed show encouraging results using EM fields as stimulants. In this paper we present our findings on the germination of soybean seeds under EM and magnetic fields. Soybean seeds were subjected to several levels of bio stimulation. Initial moisture of the soybean seed prior to bio stimulation was 13%. 100 seed from each bio stimulation treatment were analyzed for % germination. In addition a portion of the seeds were germinated and grown to maturity. Mature seed were harvested from these plants and analyzed for stearic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic fatty acids. Protein and oil concentrations were also evaluated on harvested soybean seed.