Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

On the mechanisms of stimulation and inhibition of wheat seed germination by low-frequency magnetic field med./bio.

Published in: Biophysics 2007; 52 (2): 233-236

Aim of study (acc. to editor)

To study the effects of low frequency magnetic field exposure on wheat seed germination capacity soaked in water or sucrose solutions of increasing osmotic pressure (10-16 atm).

Background/further details

Germination capacity was assessed within six days.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 10 min.
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 6 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 10 min.
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • not specified
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 30 mT - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 6 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • not specified
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 30 mT - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that stimulation of wheat seed germination by brief exposure in a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (10 min.) depended on the extent of membrane stretching upon seed swelling in sucrose solutions. Increasing osmotic pressure progressively suppressed seed germination. The exposure to the electromagnetic field improved seed germination capacity under all experimental conditions. The authors suggest that this finding confirms the effect of low frequency electromagnetic field on the release of peripheral proteins from membranes. Prolonged exposure (6 days), on the contrary, decreases the germination rate and retards seedling growth.

Study character:

Study funded by

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