engleski

The Effect of EMF Exposure on Plant Germination and Growth

Plant germination and development are very complex and important processes. Different environmental conditions like UV light, drought, salinity and heavy metals can influence the rate of germination and seedlings growth. Recently, the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on various plant species have been studied with the expectation of improved germination. In our study, the effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields at 400 and 900 MHz on germination rate of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) seeds as well as some parameters of seedlings primary growth were investigated. At investigated frequencies the next electric field strengths were used: 10, 23, 41 and 120 V m-1. The exposure of seeds to EMF at 400 MHz for two hours did not have significant effect on seed germination except inhibition of lettuce germination noticed at field strength of 23 V m-1. The growth of lettuce seedlings measured as root and shoot length and seedling fresh weight was not affected by exposure to EMFs while the growth of tomato was decreased. Contrary, the growth of onion seedlings at field strength of 23 V m-1 was increased. At 900 MHz the exposure of seeds to EMFs for two hours did not have significant effect on germination of any investigated plants. The growth of lettuce seedlings was not affected after exposure to EMFs at this frequency. The growth of tomato seedlings, especially fresh weight decreased at field strength of 23 V m-1 but it increased at 41 V m-1. On the other hand, the growth of onion seedlings decreased after exposure at field strength of 41 V m-1. Results indicate that seedlings growth was more sensitive to EMF exposure than seeds germination and that the effects depended not only on plant species but also on characteristics of field exposure.

EMF ; lettuce ; tomato ; onion ; germination ; growth

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