Effect of Electromagnetic Field on some of the Growth Characters of Pleoretus florida

Undoubtedly presence of magnetic field in human life is undeniable. Magnetic fields are one of the most complex and important energy sources which can influence biological processes. Living organs by having ions and radicals are so affected by these electromagnetic fields. To study the effects of electromagnetic field on growth rate and colony diameter of Pleoretus florida, a factorial experiment based on completly randomized design with 3 replicates was carried out and the effect of two factors A: magnetic density (0, 1, 4, 6mT) and B: exposure time (1, 2, 4 day) was investigated. Results demonstrated that flux density of 4 mT for 2 days and 1mT for 2 days showed the most increase in growth of colony, respectively. Also 6mT treatment for longer time- 2 or 3 days- caused growth inhibition of mushroom colony. It seems that using appropriate density of magnetic fields in convenient time affects on cell membrane through a positive ion flux (usually calcium) that influences normal cell metabolism and causes cell division increase that leads to growth improvement.