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Perturbations of plant leaflet rhythms caused by electromagnetic radio-frequency radiation.

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Ellingsrud S, Johnsson A · 1993

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Plants exposed to radio frequency radiation showed disrupted natural rhythms, proving EMF can affect basic biological processes without heating tissue.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Norwegian researchers exposed Telegraph plants to radio waves at 27.12 MHz and found the electromagnetic fields disrupted the plants' natural leaf movements, even at the lowest power tested. The timing and rhythm changes occurred without heating effects, showing living organisms can be sensitive to RF radiation.

Why This Matters

This early study provides compelling evidence that electromagnetic fields can disrupt biological rhythms in living systems, even in plants. The researchers used power densities of 8 watts per square centimeter, which is extraordinarily high compared to typical environmental exposures (your cell phone operates at around 0.001-0.01 watts per square centimeter). However, the significance lies in demonstrating that RF radiation can interfere with fundamental biological processes that don't rely on nervous systems or complex cellular machinery. The fact that plants showed measurable responses suggests that EMF effects operate at a basic biophysical level, affecting the electrical processes that govern cellular function. What this means for you is that biological systems across the spectrum of life appear sensitive to electromagnetic interference, supporting the growing body of research showing that EMF effects extend far beyond simple tissue heating.

Exposure Details

Power Density
8000 µW/m²
Source/Device
27.12 MHz

Exposure Context

This study used 8000 µW/m² for radio frequency:

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: 8000 µW/m²Extreme Concern - 1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit - 10M uW/m2Effects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 1,250x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 27.1 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 27.1 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Perturbations of plant leaflet rhythms caused by electromagnetic radio-frequency radiation.

The minute-range up and down rhythms of the lateral leaflets of Desmodium gyrans has been studied wh...

We report effects in the leaflet rhythms such as temporary changes in the amplitude, period, and pha...

Cite This Study
Ellingsrud S, Johnsson A (1993). Perturbations of plant leaflet rhythms caused by electromagnetic radio-frequency radiation. Bioelectromagnetics 14(3):257-271, 1993.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_1993_perturbations_of_plant_leaflet_960,
  author = {Ellingsrud S and Johnsson A},
  title = {Perturbations of plant leaflet rhythms caused by electromagnetic radio-frequency radiation.},
  year = {1993},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8323575/},
}
PubMed: 8323575

Cited By (24 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, radio waves can disrupt plant biological processes. Norwegian researchers found that 27.12 MHz radio frequency radiation altered the natural leaf movements of Telegraph plants, causing changes in rhythm timing and amplitude even at low power levels without heating effects.
Research shows RF radiation can disrupt natural biological rhythms. A 1993 study found that radio frequency fields at 27.12 MHz caused temporary changes in plant leaf movement patterns, including complete cessation of normal rhythms in some cases.
Studies suggest 27 MHz radiation can affect living systems. Research on Telegraph plants showed this frequency disrupted natural leaf movements and biological timing, with effects occurring even at the lowest power tested (8 W/cm2) without thermal heating.
Radio frequency fields can alter biological processes in living organisms. Research demonstrates that RF radiation at 27.12 MHz disrupted plant leaf rhythms, causing changes in movement timing, amplitude, and phase without producing measurable heating effects.
Electromagnetic radiation can significantly impact plant biological functions. A Norwegian study found that radio waves at 27.12 MHz altered Telegraph plant leaf movements, disrupting natural rhythms and causing temporary or complete cessation of normal movement patterns.