The Impact of Low and Medium Intensity Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Pepper Seed Germination

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Abstract
The interaction processes of electromagnetic fields with biological tissues have been extensively studied over the last decades. However, while the exposure of humans and animals to electromagnetic radiation has been the subject of numerous research papers, it is not so common to find studies in the scientific literature that address the effects of plant exposure to radioelectric emissions. In this paper, 24 different seed sets were exposed to an electromagnetic field continuous wave at 2.45 GHz of low and medium power levels in a controlled environment. Radiated power densities at seed location for low levels range from 3.5 to 3820 μW/cm 2 in free space inside an anechoic chamber. For medium power levels a waveguide was used, which produced power density levels at seed location from 502.7 to 2097.9 mW/cm 2 . Exposition time was also controlled from periods of just 4.7 seconds to 16 full days. Subsequently, the samples were transferred to a culture chamber for germination keeping growth conditions constant for all samples. Great care was taken in the strict protocols of sample preparation, radiation, and growth tests. Finally, different growth parameters were analyzed. The results show that, under certain exposure conditions, the germination process is affected. Generally, most of the seeds exposed to medium power, completed their germination earlier than the untreated control. In the other hand, seeds treated at low power and high exposure times generally slowed down their germination.
Funding Information
  • AGROALNEXT Program
  • Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities
  • European Union NextGenerationEU
  • Fundación Séneca
  • Comunidad Autónoma Región de Murcia

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