Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
THE EFFECT OF LOW FREQUENCY RADIO WAVES ON BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
No Effects Found
Ginsburg · 1953
1953 study found no harmful effects when corn seeds were exposed to radio frequencies from 5 kHz to 20 MHz.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Researchers in 1953 exposed corn seeds to various radio frequencies ranging from 5,000 cycles to 20 megacycles to test whether electromagnetic radiation could damage plant germination. Despite testing multiple frequencies and intensities on two corn varieties, they found no statistically significant harmful effects on seed viability or growth.
Cite This Study
Ginsburg (1953). THE EFFECT OF LOW FREQUENCY RADIO WAVES ON BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS.
Show BibTeX
@article{the_effect_of_low_frequency_radio_waves_on_biological_materials_g7033,
author = {Ginsburg},
title = {THE EFFECT OF LOW FREQUENCY RADIO WAVES ON BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS},
year = {1953},
}Quick Questions About This Study
No, researchers found no statistically significant lethal effects on corn seeds when exposed to radio frequencies ranging from 5,000 cycles to 20 megacycles, testing both Golden Bantam and Ear-Bred varieties.
Tesla coil irradiation was performed at 125 kHz, 147 kHz, 175 kHz, and 200 kHz. No differences were observed between corn seed varieties at any of these frequencies.
Researchers wanted to investigate whether low frequency radio waves could affect viable biological materials, specifically testing corn seeds as a function of frequency, intensity, and exposure duration.
Yes, both corn varieties showed similar results with no distinguishable differences between test series. The statistical breakdown revealed no variety-specific sensitivity to radio frequency exposure.
None of the tested frequencies showed biological effects. The study covered 5 kHz to 20 MHz with no statistically significant impacts on corn seed viability or germination.