Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Growth characteristics of mung beans and water convolvuluses exposed to 425-MHz electromagnetic fields med./bio.

By: Jinapang P, Prakob P, Wongwattananard P, Islam NE, Kirawanich P

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2010; 31 (7): 519-527

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (specifically of power and duration) on mung beans and water convovuluses at different growth stages (pre-sown seed and early seedling (5-day-old)) to improve crop yields.

Background/further details

The thermal effect was evaluated through water content measurement before and after exposure at different power levels and exposure times.

Endpoint

germination and growth of plants

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 425 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 1, 2 or 4 hr	power: 1 mW power: 100 mW power: 10 W power density: 0.015 mW/m² (at the center ot the TEM cell at P = 10 W)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	425 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	continuous for 1, 2 or 4 hr

Exposure setup

Exposure source	TEM cell
Chamber	50 cm x 50 cm x 30 cm exposure chamber designed as TEM cell
Setup	outer conductor on the top of the TEM cell, inner conductor in the center of the TEM cell serving as support for the test material

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	1 mW	-	-	-	-
power	100 mW	-	-	-	-
power	10 W	-	-	-	-
power density	0.015 mW/m²	-	-	-	at the center ot the TEM cell at P = 10 W

Exposed system:

plant
mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) and water convovuluses (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

growth of plants (seedling length (for pre- and post-germination phase exposure experiments), lengths of shoot and primary root (for post-germination phase exposure experiments)); water contents of the mung bean seeds/water uptake

Investigated system:

seeds
investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that 425 MHz electromagnetic fields could improve the growth characteristics of mung beans and water convolvuluses. The effectiveness of the growth enhancement can be controlled by selecting appropriate exposure parameters (power and duration of exposure). The enhancement efficiency also depend on the plant variety and the exposure phase (prior- or post-germination):
The data showed that growth enhancement is optimum for the mung beans at 100 mW/1 h power-duration level (prior germination exposure), while for water convolvuluses the optimum growth power-duration level was 1 mW/2 h.
However, when both seed types were exposed at the early sprouting phase (i.e. 5-day-old) with their respective optimum power-duration levels for optimum growth (i.e. mung bean at 100 mW/1h and water convolvuluses at 1 mW/2 h), water convolvuluses showed growth enhancement while mung bean sprouts showed no effects.
Water content analysis of the seeds suggested thermal effects only at higher field strength (10 W/4 h).

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Singh HP et al. (2012): Cell phone electromagnetic field radiations affect rhizogenesis through impairment of biochemical processes
Sharma VP et al. (2010): Cell phone radiations affect early growth of Vigna radiata (mung bean) through biochemical alterations
Sharma VP et al. (2009): Mobile phone radiation inhibits Vigna radiata (mung bean) root growth by inducing oxidative stress
Tkalec M et al. (2009): Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L
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Schmutz P et al. (1996): Long-term exposure of young spruce and beech trees to 2450-MHz microwave radiation
Rao YVS et al. (1989): Effect of microwave irradiation on germination and initial growth of mustard seed
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