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Effect of Increased Ionizing Radiation and Near-Null Magnetic Field on Electrical Signals of Plants

Radiophysics and Quantum Electronics · 2025 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2520

Increased ionizing (β) radiation at a dose rate of 31.3 μGy/h enhanced electrical signals in plants exposed to stimuli, while hypomagnetic (near-null) magnetic field conditions (0–1.5 μT) weakened these signals.

Study snapshot

PublicationRadiophysics and Quantum Electronics · 2025
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Biophysics Tags: ionizing radiation, hypomagnetic field, electromagnetic fields, plant signaling, stress response, reactive oxygen species, space biology DOI: 10.1007/s11141-025-10418-y URL: link.springer.com Overview There remains a significant gap in understanding how astro- and geophysical factors, including ionizing and non-ionizing radiation (such as electromagnetic fields), impact living organisms. - These effects are particularly important for predicting outcomes both on Earth and during space travel, where exposure conditions can change drastically. - Of all biological indicators, the signaling systems responsible for processing and amplifying stimuli appear to be the most sensitive to these changes. Findings This study explored how increased ionizing radiation (β radiation, dose rate of 31.3 μGy/h) and hypomagnetic conditions (induced magnetic field 0-1.5 μT) influence the electrical signals in plants exposed to stimuli. - A specially designed experimental setup using triaxial Helmholtz rings maintained precise changes in the electromagnetic environment. - Results showed that increased ionizing radiation enhanced electrical signals in plants. - Conversely, near-null magnetic field conditions weakened these signals. Conclusion The data suggest that the observed effects result from changes in reactive oxygen species concentration, a key component of plant stress signaling. These findings offer new avenues for studying the mechanisms by which ionizing and non-ionizing radiation affect living organisms, highlighting a clear association between electromagnetic fields and physiological responses.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
Populationplants
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Increased ionizing (β) radiation at a dose rate of 31.3 μGy/h enhanced electrical signals in plants exposed to stimuli, while hypomagnetic (near-null) magnetic field conditions (0–1.5 μT) weakened these signals.

Outcomes measured

  • electrical signals in plants
  • plant signaling/stress response
  • reactive oxygen species (ROS) (proposed mechanism)

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in provided abstract.
  • Plant species and experimental protocol details (stimuli type, measurement methods, exposure duration) not reported in provided abstract.
  • Mechanistic explanation (ROS changes) is suggested rather than directly demonstrated in the provided abstract.
  • Both ionizing radiation and hypomagnetic field were studied, making attribution to non-ionizing EMF alone unclear from the provided abstract.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "plants",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "electrical signals in plants",
    "plant signaling/stress response",
    "reactive oxygen species (ROS) (proposed mechanism)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Increased ionizing (β) radiation at a dose rate of 31.3 μGy/h enhanced electrical signals in plants exposed to stimuli, while hypomagnetic (near-null) magnetic field conditions (0–1.5 μT) weakened these signals.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract.",
    "Plant species and experimental protocol details (stimuli type, measurement methods, exposure duration) not reported in provided abstract.",
    "Mechanistic explanation (ROS changes) is suggested rather than directly demonstrated in the provided abstract.",
    "Both ionizing radiation and hypomagnetic field were studied, making attribution to non-ionizing EMF alone unclear from the provided abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ionizing radiation",
    "beta radiation",
    "hypomagnetic field",
    "near-null magnetic field",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "plants",
    "electrical signals",
    "plant signaling",
    "stress response",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "space biology",
    "Helmholtz coils"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Space/astro-geophysical exposure context is mentioned, but no specific occupational setting is studied in the abstract."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s11141-025-10418-y
PubMed: Not supplied

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