EFFECTS OF EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

EMITTED BY TRANSMISSION EMITTED BY TRANSMISSION TOWERS ON THE GROWTH TOWERS ON THE GROWTH

OF EGGPLANTOF EGGPLANT (Solanum (Solanum melongena) melongena) SEEDSSEEDS

Research ProposalResearch ProposalBy: By: Ryne Francis AbogaRyne Francis Aboga

Joseph Bernard C. DalusongJoseph Bernard C. DalusongJohn Angelo D. MarianoJohn Angelo D. Mariano

IV – EinsteinIV – Einstein

Introduction:Introduction:

I. I. Background Background of the Studyof the Study

Studies in the past years Studies in the past years show that electric show that electric transmission towers emitted transmission towers emitted an electromagnetic radiation an electromagnetic radiation that concerns the health of that concerns the health of biological systems such as biological systems such as human beings. However, few human beings. However, few researchers have studied researchers have studied about its effects on plant about its effects on plant growth. growth.

Rather than broadening the Rather than broadening the studies about the negative studies about the negative sides of electromagnetic sides of electromagnetic fields, this study seeks to fields, this study seeks to harness the electromagnetic harness the electromagnetic radiation emitted by such radiation emitted by such towers and prove its benefits towers and prove its benefits to plant growth. This paper to plant growth. This paper has been proposed to present has been proposed to present the effects of electromagnetic the effects of electromagnetic field on Eggplant seeds field on Eggplant seeds growing.growing.

Based on the research of Based on the research of researchers, agricultural researchers, agricultural growing towers is a good growing towers is a good way of growing plants. It way of growing plants. It does not have chemicals does not have chemicals that could affect the that could affect the plants’ genetic structure plants’ genetic structure and its environment. and its environment.

It harnesses the It harnesses the potential of potential of atmospheric electricity. atmospheric electricity. And it also produces And it also produces better crops, fruits, and better crops, fruits, and vegetable than other vegetable than other chemical plant chemical plant enhancers.enhancers.

The application of The application of electricity that can help electricity that can help in plant growth is called in plant growth is called Electro culture. It can Electro culture. It can help in accelerating the help in accelerating the growth of the plant and growth of the plant and improved crop quality. improved crop quality.

It can also help in It can also help in preventing the plants preventing the plants from disease, insects from disease, insects and frost. The farmers and frost. The farmers can grow crops much can grow crops much faster and can grow faster and can grow better crops with little better crops with little effort.effort.

II. II. Statement Statement

of the of the ProblemProblem

Electric Towers emit an Electric Towers emit an electromagnetic field electromagnetic field (EMF) within their (EMF) within their respective radius. This respective radius. This study seeks if EMFs could study seeks if EMFs could affect the growth of crops affect the growth of crops as they were commonly as they were commonly placed alongside placed alongside plantations. plantations.

The researchers would The researchers would like to know if Eggplant like to know if Eggplant (Solanum melongena) (Solanum melongena) seeds planted under seeds planted under Electromagnetic field Electromagnetic field exposure would have exposure would have significant effects on significant effects on the crop.the crop.

III. III. HypothesisHypothesis

Ho: There would be Ho: There would be significant effect on the significant effect on the growth of eggplant seeds.growth of eggplant seeds.

Ha: There would be no Ha: There would be no significant effect on the significant effect on the growth of eggplant seeds.growth of eggplant seeds.

IV. IV. Significance Significance of the Studyof the Study

This study aims to This study aims to contribute to the field of contribute to the field of agriculture. Rather than agriculture. Rather than planting crops that receive no planting crops that receive no benefit from such radiations, benefit from such radiations, locals that have an electric locals that have an electric tower near them could plant tower near them could plant eggplants instead. Since these eggplants instead. Since these EMF accelerates the growth EMF accelerates the growth and yield of the products, thus and yield of the products, thus increasing fruit succulence. increasing fruit succulence.

V.V.ScopesScopes and and LimitationsLimitations

Scope:Scope: This study is an This study is an investigation on how investigation on how Electromagnetic Fields could Electromagnetic Fields could affect the growth of Eggplant affect the growth of Eggplant seeds under a uniform electric seeds under a uniform electric field.field.

Limitations:Limitations: This study is This study is limited only to Electromagnetic limited only to Electromagnetic field radiation emitted by Electric field radiation emitted by Electric transmission towers replicated.transmission towers replicated.

Review of Review of Related Related

LiteratureLiterature

Eggplants belong to Eggplants belong to the nightshade family of the nightshade family of vegetables, which also vegetables, which also includes tomatoes, sweet includes tomatoes, sweet peppers and potatoes. peppers and potatoes. They grow in a manner They grow in a manner much like tomatoes, much like tomatoes, hanging from the vines of hanging from the vines of a plant that grows several a plant that grows several feet in height. feet in height.

While the different While the different varieties do range varieties do range slightly in taste and slightly in taste and texture, one can texture, one can generally describe the generally describe the eggplant as having a eggplant as having a pleasantly bitter taste pleasantly bitter taste and spongy texture [1].and spongy texture [1].

Seven proposed biotech Seven proposed biotech eggplant multilocation trial sites got eggplant multilocation trial sites got the green light from United States the green light from United States Agency for International Agency for International Development (USAID) in December Development (USAID) in December 2009. Based on technical findings of 2009. Based on technical findings of the BT eggplant technology, the the BT eggplant technology, the multilocation trials will have very multilocation trials will have very low level of environmental risk. The low level of environmental risk. The results of the initial environment results of the initial environment examination (IEE) contain conditions examination (IEE) contain conditions to be followed during the conduct of to be followed during the conduct of the field trial experiments. [2]. the field trial experiments. [2].

Electromagnetic Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are areas fields (EMF) are areas of energy that surround of energy that surround electrical devices. Some electrical devices. Some people worry about EMF people worry about EMF exposure leading to exposure leading to cancer and leukemia. cancer and leukemia. But evidence is weak. But evidence is weak. These fields may or may These fields may or may not affect your health not affect your health [3]. [3].

Electromagnetic Electromagnetic fields of all frequencies fields of all frequencies represent one of the most represent one of the most common and fastest common and fastest growing environmental growing environmental influences. All populations influences. All populations are now exposed to are now exposed to varying degrees of EMF, varying degrees of EMF, and the levels will and the levels will continue to increase as continue to increase as technology advances. technology advances.

As part of its Charter to As part of its Charter to protect public health and in protect public health and in response to public concern, response to public concern, the World Health the World Health Organization (WHO) Organization (WHO) established the International established the International EMF Project in 1996 to assess EMF Project in 1996 to assess the scientific evidence of the scientific evidence of possible health effects of possible health effects of EMF in the frequency range EMF in the frequency range from 0 to 300 GHz [4].from 0 to 300 GHz [4].

A transmission A transmission tower (colloquially termed tower (colloquially termed an electricity pylon in the United an electricity pylon in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, Kingdom and parts of Europe, an ironman in Australia, and an ironman in Australia, and a hydro tower in parts a hydro tower in parts of Canada) is a tall structure, of Canada) is a tall structure, usually a steel lattice tower usually a steel lattice tower (criss-crossed framework), used (criss-crossed framework), used to support an overhead power to support an overhead power line. line.

Atmospheric Electricity is a result Atmospheric Electricity is a result of the potential difference between of the potential difference between any point on the surface of the any point on the surface of the negatively charged earth and the negatively charged earth and the other in the positively charged air other in the positively charged air above it. Earth’s electromagnetic above it. Earth’s electromagnetic network consists of thunderstorms network consists of thunderstorms and Polar Aurora effects. Capturing and Polar Aurora effects. Capturing atmospheric electricity means to atmospheric electricity means to exploit the electrostatic potential of exploit the electrostatic potential of gradient of the Earth [6]. gradient of the Earth [6].

An electromagnetic coil An electromagnetic coil is formed when a is formed when a conductor, a loop of wire, is conductor, a loop of wire, is turned around a core to turned around a core to create an electromagnet or create an electromagnet or inductor. They are usually inductor. They are usually coated in varnish and coated in varnish and insulating tape to add more insulating tape to add more insulation. A completed coil insulation. A completed coil assembly is called a assembly is called a winding. winding.

Then a transformer composed Then a transformer composed of a primary winding and of a primary winding and secondary winding is used to secondary winding is used to transfer energy from one transfer energy from one electrical circuit to another. electrical circuit to another. As self induction is larger for As self induction is larger for larger coil diameter the larger coil diameter the current in a thick wire tries current in a thick wire tries to flow on the inside. The to flow on the inside. The ideal use of copper is ideal use of copper is achieved by foils [7].achieved by foils [7].

MethodologyMethodology

First, Eggplant seeds were First, Eggplant seeds were chosen. Then the seeds were chosen. Then the seeds were steeped in water for 6 hours. steeped in water for 6 hours. Two setups would then be Two setups would then be prepared. The first setup is the prepared. The first setup is the controlled setup; it would have controlled setup; it would have the seeds planted on the soil the seeds planted on the soil inside a plastic container and inside a plastic container and would receive no would receive no electromagnetic field radiation.electromagnetic field radiation.

The experimental setup The experimental setup would have the seeds would have the seeds planted on the soil inside a planted on the soil inside a plastic container which plastic container which would receive uniform would receive uniform electromagnetic field electromagnetic field radiation. radiation.

It involves a metal-foil-It involves a metal-foil-covered small weather covered small weather balloon, tethered to the balloon, tethered to the chicken wire grid by an chicken wire grid by an electrically conducting wire electrically conducting wire and a parallel thin plastic and a parallel thin plastic tube and such a tube could tube and such a tube could allow easily replenishing it. allow easily replenishing it.

All of the functionality All of the functionality of the rigid tower/sphere of the rigid tower/sphere would exist, but with far would exist, but with far less weight and cost less weight and cost involved. Both setups involved. Both setups would receive the same would receive the same sunlight and water and sunlight and water and would be observed for would be observed for seven days.seven days.

Gathering Materials

Making Different Setups

Preparation of Materials

Set up A: Controlled Setup B: Experimental

20 Eggplant seeds planted on plastic box

20 Eggplant seeds planted on plastic box

ConclusionResults and Discussions

Receives sunlight and 25ml water everyday for 7 days

Quantification and Analysis

Without Uniform Electromagnetic Field Received

With Uniform Electromagnetic Field Received

Receives sunlight and 25ml water everyday for 7 days

BibliographyBibliography

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http://www.isaaa.org/programs/supportprojects/http://www.isaaa.org/programs/supportprojects/abspii/download/ABSP_Newsletter_vol5.pdfabspii/download/ABSP_Newsletter_vol5.pdf

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electromagneticfields.htmlelectromagneticfields.html

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tname=foodspice&dbid=22tname=foodspice&dbid=22[5] Source: Transmission Tower. “Transmission Tower.” [5] Source: Transmission Tower. “Transmission Tower.” Accessed July 15, 2011.Accessed July 15, 2011.http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/05/wind-power-http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/05/wind-power-

electrical-tower.phpelectrical-tower.php[6] Source: GreenDiary. “Capturing free atmospheric [6] Source: GreenDiary. “Capturing free atmospheric

electricity: Feasibility and Challenges”electricity: Feasibility and Challenges”Accessed July 18, 2011Accessed July 18, 2011http://www.greendiary.com/entry/capturing-free-atmospheric-http://www.greendiary.com/entry/capturing-free-atmospheric-

electricity-feasibility-and-challenges/electricity-feasibility-and-challenges/[7] Source: Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. “Coil, [7] Source: Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. “Coil,

Electromagnetic coils”Electromagnetic coils”Accessed July 18, 2011Accessed July 18, 2011http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coil

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