Effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation on capsicum annuum seed germination and subsequent sapling growth — A time study

Continuous exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation is a matter of concern for safety of human health. In this regard, several international and national Radio Frequency (RF) exposure guidelines and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits are prescribed as precautionary measure to minimize the human health risk associated with exposure from non-ionizing RF sources. Apart from its impact on public health, on the other hand, terrestrial plants are being exposed to continuous non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation without any shielding. Consequently plants absorb huge amount of RF energy because of their higher permittivity and loss tangent. In the present investigation, germination and subsequent growth of Capsicum annuum have been studied under exposure to RF radiation following pot-culture technique. Two earthen pots filled in with fertilized soil have been taken and fifty healthy viable Capsicum annuum seeds have been sown in each pot for germination and subsequent growth. One of the pots has been exposed to GSM cell phone non-ionizing RF radiation and the other has been considered as control. Morphological characteristics of both control and RF exposed Capsicum annuum seeds and subsequent saplings have been studied; consequently significant reduction is observed in number of germinated Capsicum annuum saplings in GSM cell phone radiation exposed pot compared to control pot which has been maintained in natural environment.