University of Wuppertal ean Electromagnetic Theory ‘Apart foes the steadily increasing presence of leotomagnede fields a variour fequsncies and canoes about their possible biological effets, 50 far only fe studies ave been performed in plans. However, eonifrs are possbly rather good candidates for such ingracons since ei leaves {acedes), oF the whee pln’ are oriented more or Jess one-dimensional. In addtton, the plats or their needles re surrounded by soaking material (cir, wax), so thar such biological structures may {in face work a antennas at technically selevant resonance fequeasies Fig. 1) Fig.l: Resonance frequencies of conifer needes. The picture shows branches and neailes of Abies grandis "he aim of the present investigation as therelare to suiy the effects of long-uerm exposure of thee represenutive conifers 19 elecromagnsic fields (EME) 06383 Miz. One jear old seedings of three species were ttnined fom a focal dealer: Japenese dwar pe (Pons pumila, = 182), European ster fr (Abi tba, = 170), and eran fi (Abies grandis, 2 99), Aer randomization, planus were vided into fexpossd and shamenposed ones. Plants were ‘watered whenever nesenary Two identical wavepude systems were wed which ‘rovided uniformane tnerty polarized fies with the eletical veetor being parallel ro he plans” vertical aie, The Segments ofthe nis were made of metal mesh allowing the penesaton of both gas and Hight pros. 3000 lux av the level of the plans see also poser p-64). A. pulsed signal corresponding to the TETRA standard a 383 Mz and 2 otal power of 50 W was used exposure was 24 day except fr periods of measurement. The sudy was performed in a shoker wihin Munstes, Genny, an sated ia October 1998. During he experiment temperature inside he Seller rose fom appron. 10°C 0 22°C atthe time when the expermeat was finshed (May 2000), uminaion peiods were adjsed according to {he seasonal usuations, Plans heighs were measured with an clectonic caliper (aeuracy < 0.1 mam). Chorophyl coneent and relative proportions (Cal a) were estimated Spectrophotometicaly. Due to the lime umber of non, hs was nt done in Abies aha. At che sadof exposire all plants were inspected visually and any abnommaliues (eg. discolouration of leaves) were need. iw " Spies Conuol Exposed a a EGE EEC i] mom eee J i all ‘ Sega | EOS] TAT zOO University of Karlsruhe Studies on the Effects of Radio- Frequency Fields on Conifers D. Lerchl', A. Lerchl®, P, Hantsch', A. Bitz’, J. Streckent', V. Hansen’ " Chair of Fleeromagnetic Theory, University of Wuppertal, ? Instieute of Zoology II, University of Karlsruhe, Germany Institute of Zoology It ‘Table 1: Relative growth rates ofthe tre conifer species after 227 days of exposure, compared to Toy = mean height athe stan of che experimen. +. ps0.08 v5 Conta. Means * SEM, Spades Cont Eapesal Pinus pemla | Ve | Tote 207% +07% Tiise aka | 1 TH» Par 139. ies grandis | 131.6% T2635 201 233% ‘Table 2: Chlorophyll aos (Ch ab) of exposed ceils of Pinus punila and Abies grandis. * 1<005, Means = SE Abies grandis Fig, 2: Growth ofall plans daring the exposure for 22 cays Means # SEM, The thes conifer species grew with considerably Gtfrent rates during the expenman, 28 coule be expected Pins pumifa reacted vo exposure with 8 slighty enhanced rowth rate and a reduced sloropiyl wb rio (Table 1 and 2, Fig. 2). Tae rambers. of dead plants at the end of che ‘expen wine inevased in all dhe species (able 3. ae uso Nebewesen/iehewesentiiit ‘Table 3: Numbers of dead plants afer expose for 22 days *, po0.05 Ges) Speen Gonmat Expos Pins pemala | 6.0% 20.965 “bir iba 175% ng Wie grandis | 6.7% Tae Despite marginaly alzed grow due w exsure, the physiolgy of exposed. conifers sccm t be negaively influenced by exposure to EMF a 383 MHz, cauing a docline in che photosynthetic «ystems which may be dhe Gist in featom of decline nthe plant's overall snus 1s interesting © mote hat the mou prominent ics were sen in Pies pura Tk young plants of this species, noodles ae more vertically ‘rested, a5 compared to the two ater species investigated here. Itmay therefore be possible that the elec component ofthe EMF is responsible forthe observed effects The study was supported by a grant fom the Ministry f Science of Norhrhine-Wessphalia. We thank Prof. Lichtemhaler, Insinte of Botany of the University of Karltuhe, for atoport and advice. We thank the Forschungsgereinschal Funk Bonn for technical sapport