Scrutinizing the Impact of Alternating Electromagnetic Fields on Molecular Features of the Model Plant Arabidopsis thaliana

Authors: Sonja Michèle Schmidtpott, Saliba Danho, Vijay Kumar, Thorsten Seidel, Wolfgang Schöllhorn, Karl-Josef Dietz

Year: 2022 Apr 23

Category: Environmental Science

Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095144

URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/9/5144

Abstract

Overview

Natural and anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are constantly present, influencing all biological organisms including plants. This study particularly focuses on the effects of alternating EMFs, similar to those emitted by electric car battery chargers, on plant biology.

Methodology & Findings

  • The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana was exposed to alternating EMFs over a 48-hour period.
  • Key molecular changes were observed using various methods such as photosynthetic performance measurement, metabolite profiling, and RNA sequencing.
  • Differences in photosynthetic parameters suggested altered plant responses to EMFs, with potential changes in nonphotochemical quenching and plastoquinone pool reduction.
  • Transcriptome analysis indicated significant alterations in transcript amounts, though certain gene ontology groups like chloroplast stroma and thylakoids were underrepresented.
  • Metabolite analyses revealed adjustments in photosynthetic and central energy metabolism.

Conclusion

Exposure to alternating EMFs causes notable biological alterations in Arabidopsis thaliana at multiple levels, including photosynthesis and metabolism. These findings underscore the need for further experimentation under more challenging growth conditions to explore potential negative effects and adaptive mechanisms related to EMF exposure.

EMF Arabidopsis thaliana Photosynthesis Metabolite profiling RNA sequencing
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