MadSci Network: Botany
Query:

Re: Would placing seeds in a magnetic field before planting affect their germination and growth?

Date: Tue Jan 11 16:09:58 2000
Posted By: Dennis Lukashin, , Biology, Rutgers University
Area of science: Botany
ID: 947533718.Bt
Message:

Hi Rick!

Your question is a very interesting and a controversial one. I will answer it, but let me first briefly remind you of the process of germination. Before germination takes place, the seed contains the embryo in a stage of arrested development. Germination is the resumption of this arrested growth and it is governed by many environmental factors and obviously the genes of the organism. Some environmental factors which are extremely important to a developing embryo are: the number of hours of daylight it receives, water supply, temperature of the soil and oxygen levels. Once the dry seed acquires enough water, the enzymes which are already present in the seed are activated (and new ones are synthesized) and the digestion and utilization of the stored foods accumulated in the cells of the seed during the period of embryo formation can now begin.

Now, when you conduct your experiment, do not forget the factors other than the magnetic field which could easily influence the growth of your plant. All of the environmental factors listed above have to be maintained equal (more or less) among all of your plants of the same species (obviously different plant species have different requirements and you should find out the specifics on your own).

Now let's answer your question. I have heard of many studies done on the magnetic fields and their effect on the living cells and until this day I have not heard of one which conclusively illustrates that magnetic fields affect plant growth. However, most of the studies which I am referring to have used magnetic fields which were of the similar magnitude to those found in the NATURAL environment. There are magnetic fields strong enough to do great damage not only to living cells, but to metal cars! There were also studies which argued that plant growth CAN be affected by the (larger than natural) magnetic fields and that certain magnitudes inhibit while others stimulate growth. There was one discovery which was made by David Reed (researcher at Michigan's Technological University) that uncovered that the trunks of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and red maple (Acer rubrum) trees grew wider and the trunk of red pine grew taller near a 55-mile long naval communications antenna. Ironically, the growth of other species was not affected. So is the effect of magnetic fields related to the genes of a certain species of plants or was this finding just a coincidence which made it seem so?? Reed's findings were interesting, but nevertheless not conclusive. There was also another study done (for which unfortunately I do not have a reference) on the seeds of Brassica rapa (mustard family) and it was reported that the seeds exposed to magnetic fields were all deformed, while the control was normal( EMF, in this case, being of great magnitude). It was also reported that there was no effect on the early development, while later the deformation of the plants became very obvious. It is possible that the magnetic fields affected the ions of such crucial organismal mechanisms as the hydrogen pump (which produces ATP) and possibly the conformation of some proteins (including very important enzymes). Remember that protein configuration is extremely important to their function and once changed, their role in the development of the plant is either altered or completely deleted. Considering all this it seems possible that continuous exposure to the magnetic field could also cause mutations (alterations in nucleotide sequence of DNA that codes for genes and proteins) and, in turn, evolution. But all of this is very ambiguous right now and needs much more research. To conclude, I will tell you that in my opinion, magnetic fields of "normal" (not exceedingly large) magnitudes, generally do no damage to the plants. It is very likely that high level of EMF's (electromagnetic fields) might bring harm or even death to some plants. But this is not any different from the general rule which we see in nature: extremes are very bad for most living organisms. Even too much water will inevitably cause the plant to die. However, many factors have to be considered. The species of the plant, the magnitude of EMF, the combination of environmental factors and how long you allow for your experiment to go on can all affect the outcome. Remember that when you do your experiment. I do not think that a common magnet (especially in only two weeks) will generate enough force to have any effect on your seeds or any biological system, but it is just a hypothesis...it is possible that I am wrong! Well, I hope this is of at least some help to you! Good luck with your project!

References:

  1. Effects of 76Hz Electromagnetic Fields on Tree Growth (Meeting Abstract) Reed, David, et al; School of Forestry and Wood Products, Michigan Technological University Annual Review of Research on Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields from the Generation, Delivery and Use of Electricity, 31 October to 4 November, Savannah, GA, US Dept. of Energy, p. 42-43, 1993
  2. Amplification, by Pulsed Electromagnetic fields, of Plant Growth Regulator Induced Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase During Differentiation in Suspension Cultured Plant Cells. Jones, D.B.; Bolwell, G.P.; Gilliatt, G.J.J. of Bioelctr 5(1): 1-12, 1986
  3. Perturbations of Plant Leaflet Rhythms Caused by Electromagnetic Radio- Frequency Radiation. Ellingsrud, S.; Johnson, A. Bioelectromagnetics 14(3): 257-271, 1993
  4. Davies, Peter J: Plant Hormones and Their Role in Plant Growth and Development, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Boston, MA 1987


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