Effects of 60 Hz electromagnetic fields on early growth in three plant species and a replication of previous results.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1996 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5421

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1996

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

In an attempt to replicate the findings of Smith et al., seeds of Raphanus sativus L. (radish), Sinapsis alba L. (mustard), and Hordeum vulgare L. (barley) were grown for between 9 and 21 days in continuous electromagnetic fields (EMFs) at "ion-cyclotron resonance" conditions for stimulation of Ca(2+) (B(H) = 78.3 mu T, B(HAC) = 40 mu T peak-peak at 60 Hz, B(V) = 0). On harvesting, radish showed results similar to those of Smith et al. Dry stem weight and plant height were both significantly greater (Mann-Whitney tests, Ps < 0.05) in EMF-exposed plants than in control plants in each EMF experiment. Wet root weight was significantly greater in EMF-exposed plants in two out of three experiments, as were dry leaf weight, dry whole weight, and stem diameter. Dry root weight, wet leaf weight, and wet whole weight were significantly greater in EMF-exposed plants in one of three experiments. All significant differences indicated an increase in weight or size in the EMF-exposed plants. In each of the sham experiments, no differences between exposed and control plants were evident. Mustard plants failed to respond to the EMFs in any of the plant parameters measured. In one experiment, barley similarly failed to respond; but in another showed significantly greater wet root weight and significantly smaller stem diameter and dry seed weight at the end of the experiment in exposed plants compared to control plants. Although these results give no clue about the underlying bioelectromagnetic mechanism, they demonstrate that, at least for one EMF-sensitive biosystem, results can be independently replicated in another laboratory. Such replication is crucial in establishing the validity of bioelectromagnetic science.

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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

PopulationSeeds/plants of Raphanus sativus L. (radish), Sinapsis alba L. (mustard), and Hordeum vulgare L. (barley)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.06 MHz · continuous exposure for between 9 and 21 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Radish showed significantly greater dry stem weight and plant height in EMF-exposed plants versus controls in each EMF experiment; several other weight/size measures were significantly greater in some experiments, and all significant differences indicated increased weight or size with EMF exposure. Mustard showed no response in any measured parameter. Barley showed no response in one experiment, but in another had significantly greater wet root weight and significantly smaller stem diameter and dry seed weight in exposed plants versus controls; sham experiments showed no differences between exposed and control plants.

Outcomes measured

Plant growth parameters (e.g., plant height, stem weight, root weight, leaf weight, whole weight, stem diameter, dry seed weight)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Results varied by species and across experiments (some outcomes significant only in subsets of experiments)
Mechanism not identified (as stated by authors)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.06,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "continuous exposure for between 9 and 21 days"
  },
  "population": "Seeds/plants of Raphanus sativus L. (radish), Sinapsis alba L. (mustard), and Hordeum vulgare L. (barley)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Plant growth parameters (e.g., plant height, stem weight, root weight, leaf weight, whole weight, stem diameter, dry seed weight)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Radish showed significantly greater dry stem weight and plant height in EMF-exposed plants versus controls in each EMF experiment; several other weight/size measures were significantly greater in some experiments, and all significant differences indicated increased weight or size with EMF exposure. Mustard showed no response in any measured parameter. Barley showed no response in one experiment, but in another had significantly greater wet root weight and significantly smaller stem diameter and dry seed weight in exposed plants versus controls; sham experiments showed no differences between exposed and control plants.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Results varied by species and across experiments (some outcomes significant only in subsets of experiments)",
    "Mechanism not identified (as stated by authors)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "60 Hz",
    "ELF EMF",
    "ion-cyclotron resonance",
    "calcium",
    "plant growth",
    "radish",
    "mustard",
    "barley",
    "replication",
    "sham experiment"
  ],
  "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: 10.1002/(sici)1521-186x(1996)17:2<154::aid-bem10>3.0.co;2-s
PubMed: 8860733

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