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

Autori
Tkalec, Mirta ; Malarić, Krešimir ; Pavlica, Mirjana ; Pevalek-Kozlina, Branka ; Vidaković-Cifrek, Željka

Izvornik
Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis (1383-5718) 672 (2009), 2; 76-81

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Radiofrequency EMF; Allium cepa; Germination rate; Root growth; Mitotic index; Mitotic aberrations

Sažetak
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 in Allium cepa L. cv. Srebrnjak Majski. Seeds were exposed for 2 h to EMFs of 400 and 900 MHz at field strengths of 10, 23, 41 and 120 V/m. The effect of longer exposure time (4 h) and field modulation was investigated at 23 V/m as well. Germination rate and root length did not change significantly after radiofrequency exposure at any investigated exposure treatments. At 900 MHz exposures to EMFs of higher strengths (41 and 120 V/m) as well as to modulated field showed significant increase of mitotic index compared to corresponding controls while percentage of mitotic abnormalities increased after all exposure treatments. On the other hand, at 400 MHz mitotic index increased only after exposure to modulated EMF. At this frequency higher number of mitotic abnormalities as compared to those of control was found after exposure to modulated EMF as well as after exposure to EMFs of higher strengths (41 and 120 V/m). The types of aberrations induced by EMFs of both the frequencies were quite similar, mainly consisting of lagging chromosomes, vagrants, disturbed anaphases and chromosome stickiness. Our results showed that non-thermal exposure to investigated radiofrequency fields can induce mitotic aberrations in root meristematic cells of Allium cepa. Observed effects markedly depended 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 the impairment of mitotic spindle.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Elektrotehnika

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