Abstract

Abstract Summary

Overview

Electromagnetic energy is utilized across multiple frequency bands to enable wireless communication services. Plants possess a high capacity to perceive electromagnetic energy in open environments due to their high permittivity and electrical conductivity, along with a higher surface-to-volume ratio which increases their interaction with electromagnetic waves.

Findings

• The study analyzed molecular responses in Swarnaprabha rice plants, a variety commonly grown and consumed in the Indian subcontinent, to 1837.50 MHz, 2.75 mW/m2 electromagnetic irradiation over a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Controlled electromagnetic irradiation was conducted inside a reverberation chamber designed to emulate a pure electromagnetic environment at the specified frequency and power density.
• Key changes were noted in the expression of stress-sensitive genes, with significant upregulation observed in genes such as calmodulin and phytochrome B, assessed through the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique.

Conclusion

The observed molecular responses strongly suggest that plants perceive certain frequencies and densities of electromagnetic irradiation as potentially harmful stimuli, akin to other injurious factors in their environment.