Growth of etiolated barley plants in weak static and 50 Hz electromagnetic fields tuned to calcium ion cyclotron resonance.

Biomagnetic research and technology · 2006 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5140

Study snapshot

PublicationBiomagnetic research and technology · 2006

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The effects of weak magnetic and electromagnetic fields in biology have been intensively studied on animals, microorganisms and humans, but comparably less on plants. Perception mechanisms were attributed originally to ferrimagnetism, but later discoveries required additional explanations like the "radical pair mechanism" and the "Ion cyclotron resonance" (ICR), primarily considered by Liboff. The latter predicts effects by small ions involved in biological processes, that occur in definite frequency- and intensity ranges ("windows") of simultaneously impacting magnetic and electromagnetic fields related by a linear equation, which meanwhile is proven by a number of in vivo and in vitro experiments. METHODS: Barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare, L. var. Steffi) were grown in the dark for 5 and 6 days under static magnetic and 50 Hz electromagnetic fields matching the ICR conditions of Ca2+. Control cultures were grown under normal geomagnetic conditions, not matching this ICR. Morphology, pigmentation and long-term development of the adult plants were subsequently investigated. RESULTS: The shoots of plants exposed to Ca2+-ICR exposed grew 15-20% shorter compared to the controls, the plant weight was 10-12% lower, and they had longer coleoptiles that were adhering stronger to the primary leaf tissue. The total pigment contents of protochlorophyllide (PChlide) and carotenoids were significantly decreased. The rate of PChlide regeneration after light irradiation was reduced for the Ca2+-ICR exposed plants, also the Shibata shift was slightly delayed. Even a longer subsequent natural growing phase without any additional fields could only partially eliminate these effects: the plants initially exposed to Ca2+-ICR were still significantly shorter and had a lower chlorophyll (a+b) content compared to the controls. A continued cultivation and observation of the adult plants under natural conditions without any artificial electromagnetic fields showed a retardation of the originally Ca2+-ICR exposed plants compared to control cultures lasting several weeks, with an increased tendency for dehydration. CONCLUSION: A direct influence of the applied MF and EMF is discussed affecting Ca2+ levels via the ICR mechanism. It influences the available Ca2+ and thereby regulatory processes. Theoretical considerations on molecular level focus on ionic interactions with water related to models using quantum electrodynamics.

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AI evidence extraction

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Study typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationBarley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare, L. var. Steffi) grown in the dark; subsequent observation of adult plants under natural conditions

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 5 and 6 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Barley seedlings grown for 5–6 days under static magnetic and 50 Hz electromagnetic fields tuned to Ca2+ ion cyclotron resonance had 15–20% shorter shoots and 10–12% lower weight than controls grown under normal geomagnetic conditions. Exposed plants showed decreased protochlorophyllide and carotenoid pigments, reduced protochlorophyllide regeneration after light irradiation, and a slightly delayed Shibata shift. After subsequent growth under natural conditions without additional fields, exposed plants remained significantly shorter with lower chlorophyll (a+b) and showed growth retardation lasting several weeks with increased tendency for dehydration.

Outcomes measured

Shoot length
Plant weight
Coleoptile length/adhesion to primary leaf tissue
Pigment contents (protochlorophyllide, carotenoids)
Rate of protochlorophyllide regeneration after light irradiation
Shibata shift timing
Chlorophyll (a+b) content
Long-term growth/retardation over weeks
Tendency for dehydration

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the abstract
Exposure intensities (field strengths) not reported in the abstract
Details of randomization/blinding not reported in the abstract
Control condition described as 'normal geomagnetic conditions' but other environmental controls are not detailed in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "5 and 6 days"
  },
  "population": "Barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare, L. var. Steffi) grown in the dark; subsequent observation of adult plants under natural conditions",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Shoot length",
    "Plant weight",
    "Coleoptile length/adhesion to primary leaf tissue",
    "Pigment contents (protochlorophyllide, carotenoids)",
    "Rate of protochlorophyllide regeneration after light irradiation",
    "Shibata shift timing",
    "Chlorophyll (a+b) content",
    "Long-term growth/retardation over weeks",
    "Tendency for dehydration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Barley seedlings grown for 5–6 days under static magnetic and 50 Hz electromagnetic fields tuned to Ca2+ ion cyclotron resonance had 15–20% shorter shoots and 10–12% lower weight than controls grown under normal geomagnetic conditions. Exposed plants showed decreased protochlorophyllide and carotenoid pigments, reduced protochlorophyllide regeneration after light irradiation, and a slightly delayed Shibata shift. After subsequent growth under natural conditions without additional fields, exposed plants remained significantly shorter with lower chlorophyll (a+b) and showed growth retardation lasting several weeks with increased tendency for dehydration.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure intensities (field strengths) not reported in the abstract",
    "Details of randomization/blinding not reported in the abstract",
    "Control condition described as 'normal geomagnetic conditions' but other environmental controls are not detailed in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "barley",
    "Hordeum vulgare",
    "etiolated seedlings",
    "static magnetic field",
    "50 Hz",
    "ELF electromagnetic field",
    "ion cyclotron resonance",
    "Ca2+",
    "pigments",
    "protochlorophyllide",
    "carotenoids",
    "chlorophyll",
    "plant growth"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Exposure includes 50 Hz electromagnetic fields."
    },
    {
      "slug": "static-magnetic-fields",
      "weight": 0.78,
      "reason": "Study uses a static magnetic field in combination with 50 Hz fields."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1186/1477-044x-4-1
PubMed: 16457719

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