Effect of Electromagnetic Fields on Structure and Pollen Grains Development in Chenopodium Album L.

Leila Amjad Department of Biology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic

Azad University- Esfahan- Iran. amjadsadra@yahoo.com

Mahsa Shafighi Young Researchers Club, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic

Azad University- Esfahan- Iran. asham987@gmail.com

Abstract—The role of the pollen grain, with to the reproductive process of higher plants, is to deliver the spermatic cells to the embryo sac for egg fertilization. The aim of this project was study the effect of electromagnetic fields on structure and pollen grains development in Chenopodium album. Anthers of Chenopodium album L. were collected at different stages of development from control (without electromagnetic field) and plants grown at 10m from the field sources. Structure and development of pollen grains were studied and compared. The studying pollen structure by Light and Scanning electron microscopy showed that electromagnetic fields reduction of pollen grains number and male sterility, thus , in some anthers, pollen grains were attached together and deformed compared to control ones. The data presented suggest that prolonged exposures of plants to magnetic field may cause different biological effects at the cellular tissue and organ levels.

Keywords-Electromagnetic fields; pollen; Chenopodium album L.

I. INTRODUCTION Pollen grains are essential for correct fertilization and

therefore plant fertility. Fertility decreases under various stresses due to the direct and indirect effects on the reproductive apparatus [1].

Chenopodium album L. of the family Chenopodiaceae is an annual weed of cultivated fields, especially on rich soils and old manure heaps [2]. This plant is a wild neglected herb which has various pharmacological properties such as antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antiseptic and immunomodulating activity [3].The effect of electromagnetic field on living cells during decades is mainly attributed to its guide in throwing light on major unsolved biological problems such as morphology, uncoiling immune defense and regulation of the cell division [4]. These electric fields are, practically, produced in all places by humorous sources, including nearby high voltage transmission lines, primary and secondary overhead utility distribution lines and the electrical grounding system.

Electromagnetic field is one kind of stress, which can affect directly or indirectly the plant exposed to it. Plant species vary in their sensitivity and response to environmental stresses because they have various capabilities for stress perception, signaling and response [5].

Several researches tried to define the effect of such field on the growth rate of the plant. Electromagnetic field can

cause deformation inside grain through compression or tension of particular layers [6]. On the other hand, it has been proved that the electromagnetic field inhibited the biological properties of the membrane protein [7], [8], [9]. Need to create these components, incorporating the applicable criteria that follow. Also, redistributions of membrane proteins by 50 Hz electromagnetic fields is reported by Bersani et al. [10].

Studies on the meristem cells of the plants have shown that magnetic field is an element that affects normal cell metabolisms and also has impacts on the cell division [11]. In numerous experiments, it has been investigated that electromagnetic field's effects on organisms vary depending on the intensity of the magnetic field, frequency, exposure duration to electromagnetic field, genotype of organisms and the biological system [11].

II. MATERIAL AND METHODS Buds and open flowers of Chenopodium album were

collected at different developmental stages from control area (without electromagnetic radiation) and plants grown at 10m from the field sources (64 KV/m) in June 2009. The climatic and edaphic conditions in the 2 regions were the same.

Sample were fixed in FAA (formalin: acetic acid: alcohol ethyl 96° 2: 1: 17) dehydrated in a graded alcohol series and embedded in paraffin. Serial section of 7 – 10 µm were prepared and examined by Light microscopy (LM).Anthers was studied by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Control and treatment under samples were coated with gold; these samples were analyzed using a Scanning electron microscope (Model SEM – x 130, Philips, Netherland).

III. RESULTS Results obtained by Scanning electron microscopy

indicate that on the surface of control pollen grains have 50 – 70 apertures. Sculpturing was finely, granular pollen grains were generally circular and pollen grains size was almost 2 – 5 µm (Fig 1, 2).

After contamination with electromagnetic fields, pollen grains become abnormal, also degeneration and fragile of exine surface (Fig 3, 4).

Study of anatomical structure of mature anthers collected from control area showed that these anthers contain polypantaporate, granular, spherical and normal pollens with a thick relatively exine. The exine surface is more or less rough, crenellate (Fig 5, 6). But those collected from

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2011 International Conference on Bioscience, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics IPCBEE vol.5 (2011) © (2011) IACSIT Press, Singapore

treatment under area contain shrinked, destroyed, defective and fragile pollen. Also, degradation of exine surface was observed (Fig 7).

Therefore, electromagnetic fields reduction of pollen grains number and male sterility (Fig 8). Thus in some anthers, pollen grains were attached together and deformed compared to control ones (Fig 9).

IV. DISCUTION Studies the effect of electromagnetic fields on pollen

grains showed changes in structure and viability pollen. If a plant grows in the high voltage transmission lines, its physiologic function may change such as: high frequency of chromosomal abnormality, increase in the frequency of the nonviable pollen grains, increase in the stem length, decrease the number of grains in the spike, increase in the total chlorophyll content and the total carbohydrate in the grains, decrease the amount of protein in grains [4].

These results are similar to findings of our research. Studies of Germana, 2007 showed that exposure to electromagnetic fields to modify the biological behavior of seeds, roots, pollen grains and buds of several plants [9].

Thus Dattilo et al, 2004 showed that Actinidia deliciosa (Kiwi fruit) pollen grains were germinated in the presence of an alternating magnetic field (50 Hz). Therefore, pollen tube growth is affected by magnetic fields, but, the analyses of the observed anomalies in the pollen tube appear to be the result of changes in the ionic charges within the pollen tube cytoplasm [12].

Vashisth and Nagarajan reported on increase in speed of germination, seedling length and seedling dry weight for Cicer arietinum l. with static magnetic field of 50 mT for 1-4 h [13]. In another research on magnetic field's effect on potato, it was concluded that magnetic field had positive effects on the root length, tuber formation and root weights [11].

The data presented suggest that prolonged exposures of plants to weak magnetic field may cause different biological effects at the cellular, tissue and organ levels.

They maybe related to systems that regulated plant metabolism including the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis [14] ,[15]. Ca2+ ions are in particular essential regulatory components of all organisms. Being a second messenger, Ca2+ is involved in regulation at all stages of plant growth and development, therefore, Ca2+ is the most investigated ion for the ion cyclotron resonance effect. Sharp resonances were taken as evidence, that ion cyclotron resonance links electromagnetic fields and cell transport processes [10]. Theoretical considerations on molecular level focus on ionic interactions with water related to models using quantum electrodynamics [16].

In summary, an increased desiccation of the Chenopodium plants exposed to the ion cyclotron resonance condition for Ca2+ could explain the different effects observed.

From the present work, it is concluded that growing plants under high voltage transmission lines change their growth characteristics and also decreases plant yield. Therefore, the electromagnetic field is considered pollutant

to the environmental. Hence, it is recommended to insert such transmission lines under the ground to minimize their hazardous effects.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT This work was supported by Young Researchers Club

that depended on Islamic Azad University, Falavarjan Branch. The authors also thank Dr. Monajjemi and Ms. Emami from the Department of biology, Islamic Azad University, Falavarjan Branch for their aid.

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[15] N.A. Belyavskaya. "Ultrastructure and calcium balance in meristem cells of pea roots exposed to extremely low magnetic fields", Adv Space Res J. vol. 28, 2001, pp. 645-650, doi: 10.1016/S0273-1177(01)00373-8.

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Figure. 1, 2. Scanning electron micrographs of pollen grains of plant grown under condition of control

(The pollen grains and exine are circular and regular)

Figure. 3, 4. Scanning electron micrographs of pollen grains of plant grown under condition of electromagnetic fields.

(The pollen grains are abnormal, degeneration and fragile of exine surface)

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Figure 5, 6. Light microscopy photographs of pollen obtained from control area

(Mature pollen grains, ×1000 and × 400)

Figure 7. Light microscopy photographs of pollen obtained from plant grown under condition electromagnetic fields.

(Degradation and shrinked of exine surface, ×400)

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Figure 8. Light microscopy photographs of pollen obtained from plant grown under condition electromagnetic fields.

(Reduction of pollen grains number, ×100)

Figure 9. Light microscopy photographs of pollen obtained from plant grown under condition electromagnetic fields.

(Abnormality of pollen, note to irregular size and fragility of pollen, ×400)

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