8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Cellular Effects

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

Bioeffects Seen

Payez A, Ghanati F, Behmanesh M, Abdolmaleki P, Hajnorouzi A, Rajabbeigi E. · 2013

View Original Abstract
Share:

Wheat seeds exposed to 10 kHz electromagnetic fields showed improved cellular function and membrane integrity, demonstrating measurable biological effects from EMF exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Iranian researchers exposed wheat seeds to 10-kHz electromagnetic fields for five hours daily over four days. The electromagnetic exposure accelerated seed sprouting and strengthened plant cell membranes while increasing protective antioxidants. This demonstrates that electromagnetic fields can produce measurable biological effects in living organisms.

Why This Matters

This plant study demonstrates that electromagnetic fields produce measurable biological effects at the cellular level, even in organisms as simple as wheat seeds. The 10 kHz frequency used falls within the extremely low frequency (ELF) range that surrounds us from power lines, electrical wiring, and many household appliances. What makes this research particularly interesting is that the effects were largely beneficial - strengthened cell membranes, faster germination, and increased antioxidant activity. The reality is that electromagnetic fields interact with biological systems in complex ways that we're still learning to understand. While plant studies can't directly predict human health effects, they provide valuable evidence that EMF exposure creates real biological changes at the cellular level. This adds to the growing body of research showing that the claim 'EMFs have no biological effects' simply isn't supported by the science.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
30 mG
Source/Device
10-kHz
Exposure Duration
4 days, each 5 h

Exposure Context

This study used 30 mG for magnetic fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 30 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 67x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 10 kHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 10 kHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

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

The seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kavir) were imbibed in water overnight and then treated...

Water uptake of seeds reduced 5 h of the treatment with EMF but did not show changes in SMF treatmen...

The results suggest promotional effects of EMFs on membrane integrity and growth characteristics of wheat seedlings.

Cite This Study
Payez A, Ghanati F, Behmanesh M, Abdolmaleki P, Hajnorouzi A, Rajabbeigi E. (2013). Increase of seed germination, growth and membrane integrity of wheat seedlings by exposure to static and a 10-KHz electromagnetic field. Electromagn Biol Med. 32(4):417-429, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2013_increase_of_seed_germination_564,
  author = {Payez A and Ghanati F and Behmanesh M and Abdolmaleki P and Hajnorouzi A and Rajabbeigi E.},
  title = {Increase of seed germination, growth and membrane integrity of wheat seedlings by exposure to static and a 10-KHz electromagnetic field.},
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23343429/},
}
PubMed: 23343429

Cited By (54 papers)

View all 54 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, electromagnetic fields can measurably affect plant growth. A 2013 Iranian study found that 10-kHz electromagnetic fields accelerated wheat seed sprouting and strengthened plant cell membranes. The fields also increased protective antioxidants in the seedlings, demonstrating clear biological effects.
Research shows EMFs can produce measurable biological effects in living organisms. Iranian scientists exposed wheat seeds to 10-kHz electromagnetic fields and observed faster germination, improved membrane integrity, and increased antioxidant production compared to unexposed seeds.
A 2013 study found 10-kHz electromagnetic fields actually improved cellular health in wheat seedlings. The exposure strengthened cell membranes, reduced cellular damage, and increased protective antioxidants. However, plant responses may differ from human cellular effects.
Electromagnetic fields can accelerate seed germination without affecting overall germination rates. Iranian researchers found that 10-kHz EMF exposure increased the speed at which wheat seeds sprouted while also strengthening the resulting seedlings' cellular membranes and antioxidant systems.
Research indicates EMF exposure can improve cellular membrane integrity. A study on wheat seedlings found that 10-kHz electromagnetic fields strengthened cell membranes, reduced membrane damage, and decreased electrolyte leakage compared to unexposed control plants.