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Increase of seed germination, growth and membrane integrity of wheat seedlings by exposure to static and a 10-KHz electromagnetic field.

Electromagnetic biology and medicine · 2013 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4628

Wheat seeds were treated with either a 30 mT static magnetic field or a 10 kHz electromagnetic field for 4 days (5 h each). EMF reduced water uptake at 5 h and significantly reduced seedling length and vigor index I, while SMF did not affect these parameters.…

Study snapshot

PublicationElectromagnetic biology and medicine · 2013
Study typeother
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

There is a large body of experimental data demonstrating various effects of magnetic field (MF) on plants growth and development. Although the mechanism(s) of perception of MF by plants is not yet elucidated, there is a possibility that like other stimuli, MF exerts its effects on plants by changing membrane integrity and conductance of its water channels, thereby influencing growth characteristics. In this study, the seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kavir) were imbibed in water overnight and then treated with or without a 30-mT static magnetic field (SMF) and a 10-kHz electromagnetic field (EMF) for 4 days, each 5 h. Water uptake of seeds reduced 5 h of the treatment with EMF but did not show changes in SMF treatment. Exposure to both magnetic fields did not affect germination percent of the seeds but increased the speed of germination, compared to the control group. Treatment with EMF significantly reduced seedling length and subsequently vigor index I, while SMF had no effects on these parameters. Both treatments significantly increased vigor index II, compared to the control group. These treatments also remarkably increased catalase activity and proline contents of seedlings but reduced the activity of peroxidase, the rate of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakages of membranes. The results suggest promotional effects of EMFs on membrane integrity and growth characteristics of wheat seedlings.

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 typeother
Effect directionmixed
PopulationWheat seeds/seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kavir)
Sample sizeNot supplied
Exposure0.01 MHz · 4 days, 5 h each
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Wheat seeds were treated with either a 30 mT static magnetic field or a 10 kHz electromagnetic field for 4 days (5 h each). EMF reduced water uptake at 5 h and significantly reduced seedling length and vigor index I, while SMF did not affect these parameters. Neither exposure changed germination percent, but both increased germination speed and vigor index II; both also increased catalase activity and proline content and reduced peroxidase activity, lipid peroxidation, and electrolyte leakage.

Outcomes measured

  • Water uptake
  • Germination percent
  • Speed of germination
  • Seedling length
  • Vigor index I
  • Vigor index II
  • Catalase activity
  • Proline content
  • Peroxidase activity
  • Lipid peroxidation rate
  • Electrolyte leakage / membrane integrity

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Exposure characterization limited (e.g., field strength for 10 kHz EMF not provided)
  • Mechanistic interpretation stated but not directly demonstrated
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.01,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4 days, 5 h each"
  },
  "population": "Wheat seeds/seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kavir)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Water uptake",
    "Germination percent",
    "Speed of germination",
    "Seedling length",
    "Vigor index I",
    "Vigor index II",
    "Catalase activity",
    "Proline content",
    "Peroxidase activity",
    "Lipid peroxidation rate",
    "Electrolyte leakage / membrane integrity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Wheat seeds were treated with either a 30 mT static magnetic field or a 10 kHz electromagnetic field for 4 days (5 h each). EMF reduced water uptake at 5 h and significantly reduced seedling length and vigor index I, while SMF did not affect these parameters. Neither exposure changed germination percent, but both increased germination speed and vigor index II; both also increased catalase activity and proline content and reduced peroxidase activity, lipid peroxidation, and electrolyte leakage.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure characterization limited (e.g., field strength for 10 kHz EMF not provided)",
    "Mechanistic interpretation stated but not directly demonstrated"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "wheat",
    "Triticum aestivum",
    "static magnetic field",
    "30 mT",
    "10 kHz",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "germination",
    "seedling growth",
    "membrane integrity",
    "electrolyte leakage",
    "lipid peroxidation",
    "catalase",
    "peroxidase",
    "proline"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: 10.3109/15368378.2012.735625
PubMed: 23343429

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