MixedLow evidencePaper 6909

Effect of non-ionizing radiation on the growth of wheat plant

Keywords

#non-ionizing radiation #microwave #9.88 GHz #wheat #Triticum aestivum #seed treatment #germination #mitotic index #chromosomal abnormalities #plant growth

Short microwave exposures increased germination, mitotic index, root length, and shoot length, whereas longer exposures significantly reduced germination and mitotic index and inhibited growth. Chromosomal abnormalities were observed, with the highest percent…

Study snapshot

PublicationDiscover Applied Sciences · 2026

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Using microwave irradiation in seed treatment as a physical mutagen is one of the promising technologies in plant breeding that seeks to increase plant productivity and improve their quality. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains were exposed to microwave emitter at distance 1 cm from the microwave window with frequency of 9.88 GHz and power 4.6 mW which is applied for times of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min to get different doses of irradiation. Wheat grains were divided into two groups for in vitro and in vivo experiments. The percentage of germinated grains as well as mitotic index increased for seeds exposed to microwave radiation with short exposure periods. However, germination percentage and values of mitotic index were significantly decreased with increasing exposure periods of microwave. Some types of chromosomal abnormalities were observed in the examined cells, and the highest percentage of aberrant cells were recorded in grains irradiated for 60 min. Growth parameters, including root and shoot length, were stimulated by short-term exposure but inhibited by long-term exposure.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionmixed

PopulationWheat (Triticum aestivum) grains in in vitro and in vivo experiments

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 9880 MHz · 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 minutes

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 98% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Germination percentage
Mitotic index
Chromosomal abnormalities
Percentage of aberrant cells
Root length
Shoot length

Limitations

Sample size was not stated in the abstract.
Specific absorbed dose or SAR was not reported.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "microwave emitter",
    "frequency_mhz": 9880,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 minutes"
  },
  "population": "Wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains in in vitro and in vivo experiments",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Germination percentage",
    "Mitotic index",
    "Chromosomal abnormalities",
    "Percentage of aberrant cells",
    "Root length",
    "Shoot length"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Short microwave exposures increased germination, mitotic index, root length, and shoot length, whereas longer exposures significantly reduced germination and mitotic index and inhibited growth. Chromosomal abnormalities were observed, with the highest percentage of aberrant cells after 60 minutes of irradiation.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size was not stated in the abstract.",
    "Specific absorbed dose or SAR was not reported."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.98,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "non-ionizing radiation",
    "microwave",
    "9.88 GHz",
    "wheat",
    "Triticum aestivum",
    "seed treatment",
    "germination",
    "mitotic index",
    "chromosomal abnormalities",
    "plant growth"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s42452-026-09039-5
PubMed: Not supplied

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