Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Growth characteristics of mung beans and water convolvuluses exposed to 425-MHz electromagnetic fields med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2010; 31 (7): 519-527

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (specifically of power and duration) on mung beans and water convovuluses at different growth stages (pre-sown seed and early seedling (5-day-old)) to improve crop yields.

Background/further details

The thermal effect was evaluated through water content measurement before and after exposure at different power levels and exposure times.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 425 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1, 2 or 4 hr

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 425 MHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 1, 2 or 4 hr
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber 50 cm x 50 cm x 30 cm exposure chamber designed as TEM cell
Setup outer conductor on the top of the TEM cell, inner conductor in the center of the TEM cell serving as support for the test material
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 1 mW - - - -
power 100 mW - - - -
power 10 W - - - -
power density 0.015 mW/m² - - - at the center ot the TEM cell at P = 10 W

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that 425 MHz electromagnetic fields could improve the growth characteristics of mung beans and water convolvuluses. The effectiveness of the growth enhancement can be controlled by selecting appropriate exposure parameters (power and duration of exposure). The enhancement efficiency also depend on the plant variety and the exposure phase (prior- or post-germination):
The data showed that growth enhancement is optimum for the mung beans at 100 mW/1 h power-duration level (prior germination exposure), while for water convolvuluses the optimum growth power-duration level was 1 mW/2 h.
However, when both seed types were exposed at the early sprouting phase (i.e. 5-day-old) with their respective optimum power-duration levels for optimum growth (i.e. mung bean at 100 mW/1h and water convolvuluses at 1 mW/2 h), water convolvuluses showed growth enhancement while mung bean sprouts showed no effects.
Water content analysis of the seeds suggested thermal effects only at higher field strength (10 W/4 h).

Study character:

Study funded by

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