Effect of electrostimulation treatments applied to manihot esculenta crantz asexual seeds on biomass gain

Abstract

Studies carried out on Manihot esculenta (i.e. cassava), are basically focused on nutritional aspects, crop fertilization, pest and disease management, among others. Leaving aside innovative technologies to stimulate germination such as bioelectrostimulation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the application of electrochemistry stimulation treatments in asexual seeds of Manihot esculenta Crantz on biomass gain. The bioelectrostimulation was carried out by applying a series of alternating current voltages, varying the electrolyte concentration (potassiumnitrate) and the exposure times, and the biomass gain was evaluated after 14 days of germination. Prior to the application of the bioelectrostimulation treatments, the characterization of the cell was carried out to establish the temperatures reached during the treatments. The results allowed the establishment of maximum relative biomass gains in stems, leaves, and roots of 100.54, 96.74, and 94.40 %, respectively. The bioelectrostimulation treatments allowed increasing biomass gain during germination.