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Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L.

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Tkalec M, Malarić K, Pavlica M, Pevalek-Kozlina B, Vidaković-Cifrek Z. · 2009

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Non-thermal exposure to radiofrequency fields at 400 and 900MHz induced mitotic aberrations in Allium cepa root meristematic cells, and the effects depended on frequency, field strength and modulation.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed Allium cepa seeds for two hours to 400 and 900MHz fields at strengths of 10, 23, 41 and 120Vm(-1), and also tested a four-hour exposure and modulation at 23Vm(-1). Germination rate and root length did not change significantly under any exposure condition. At 900MHz, higher field strengths (41 and 120Vm(-1)) and modulated fields significantly increased the mitotic index, while all 900MHz exposures increased the percentage of mitotic abnormalities. At 400MHz, the mitotic index increased only after modulated exposure, and higher numbers of mitotic abnormalities were found after modulated exposure and after higher field strengths (41 and 120Vm(-1)). The chromosomal aberrations were mainly lagging chromosomes, vagrants, disturbed anaphases and chromosome stickiness.

Why This Matters

The study aimed to examine how radiofrequency electromagnetic fields affect seed germination, root growth, mitotic activity and mitotic aberrations in onion root meristematic cells. The authors concluded that non-thermal radiofrequency exposure can induce mitotic aberrations in Allium cepa root cells. They also suggested that the mitotic effects might result from impairment of the mitotic spindle.

Exposure Details

Electric Field
10, 23, 41 and 120 V/m
Source/Device
400 and 900MHz
Exposure Duration
2 hours

Exposure Context

This study used 10, 23, 41 and 120 V/m for electric 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.

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) on seed germination, primary root growth as well as mitotic activity and mitotic aberrations in root meristematic cells were examined

Seeds were exposed for 2h to EMFs of 400 and 900MHz at field strengths of 10, 23, 41 and 120Vm(-1). ...

Germination rate and root length did not change significantly after exposure to radiofrequency field...

Our results show that non-thermal exposure to the radiofrequency fields investigated here can induce mitotic aberrations in root meristematic cells of A. cepa. The observed effects were markedly dependent on the field frequencies applied as well as on field strength and modulation. Our findings also indicate that mitotic effects of RF-EMF could be due to impairment of the mitotic spindle.

Cite This Study
Tkalec M, Malarić K, Pavlica M, Pevalek-Kozlina B, Vidaković-Cifrek Z. (2009). Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. Mutat Res. 672(2):76-81, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2009_effects_of_radiofrequency_electromagnetic_1370,
  author = {Tkalec M and Malarić K and Pavlica M and Pevalek-Kozlina B and Vidaković-Cifrek Z.},
  title = {Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L.},
  year = {2009},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19028599/#:~:text=Germination%20rate%20and%20root%20length,any%20of%20the%20treatment%20conditions.},
}
PubMed: 19028599

Cited By (141 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Seeds were exposed for two hours to 400 and 900MHz fields at strengths of 10, 23, 41 and 120Vm(-1), and a four-hour exposure and modulation were tested at 23Vm(-1).
Germination rate and root length did not change significantly under any exposure condition.
At 900MHz, higher field strengths (41 and 120Vm(-1)) and modulated fields significantly increased the mitotic index, while all 900MHz exposures increased the percentage of mitotic abnormalities.
The aberrations were mainly lagging chromosomes, vagrants, disturbed anaphases and chromosome stickiness.