Insights into germination, physiological, and molecular changes in aniseeds induced by magnetic fields

Improving seed germination is essential for enhancing crop establishment under increasingly variable environmental conditions associated with climate change. Magnetic field (MF) treatment represents a clean, non-chemical, and sustainable seed-priming approach; however, frequency-dependent biological responses remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates the responses of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum L.) to static (DC) and low-frequency alternating magnetic fields (5, 10, and 15 Hz) across different exposure durations. Germination parameters (percentage, speed, vigor index), physiological traits, and activities of key hydrolytic and antioxidant enzymes (α-amylase, protease, catalase) were assessed. Furthermore, the molecular expression of the stress-responsive superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the cytoskeletal actin genes was analysed. MF significantly enhanced germination percentage (up to a 25% increase), mean germination time, and vigor indices compared to the untreated controls. Physiologically, treated seedlings exhibited higher antioxidant defense levels. At moderate frequencies, catalase activity increased, while α-amylase and protease were markedly elevated at higher frequencies, enabling reserve mobilization and stress tolerance. At the molecular level, sod transcripts were down-regulated across all MF treatments compared to the control, indicating a functioning oxidative stress response. These findings demonstrate that MF frequency modulates the integration of physiological (enzyme-driven metabolism) and molecular (antioxidant gene regulation) pathways to optimize during aniseed germination. This research provides mechanistic insights and presents low-frequency MF as a viable seed priming for sustainable crop improvement under dynamic environments.