Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of microwave treatment on growth, photosynthetic pigments and some metabolites of wheat

  • Brief Communication
  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Sakha 61) grains were exposed to microwave radiation of a wavelength 2.85 cm and frequency 10.525 GHz for 15, 45, or 75 min. The exposed grains were germinated and then harvested after 7 and 14 d. While 15-and 45-min exposure of the grains stimulated seedling shoot length and fresh and dry masses, the exposure for 75 min had no pronounced effects. 15 and 75-min irradiation increased succulence and pigment contents in 7-and 14-d-old seedlings. While the ratios chlorophyll (Chl) a/b, carotenoids (Car)/Chl were higher in 7-d-old seedlings than in the control ones for all doses, they decreased in 14-d-old seedlings. The microwave radiation increased protein and amino acid contents, but decreased the contents of saccharides, nucleic acids, and phenolic compounds. Low dose (15 min) stimulated proline synthesis, whereas the other doses showed negative effect on its production.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Abbreviations

Car:

carotenoids

Chl:

chlorophyll

References

  • Adey, W.R, Byus, C.V., Cain, C.D., Higgins, R.J., Jones, R.A., Kean, C.J., Kuster, N., MacMurray, A., Stagg, R.B., Zimmerman, G., Phillips, J.L., Haggren, W.: Spontaneous and nitrosourea-induced primary tumor of the central nervous system in Fischer 344 rats chronically exposed to 836 MHz modulated microwaves.-Radiat. Res. 152: 293–302, 1999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L.S., Waldern, R.P., Teare, I.D.: Rapid determination of free proline for water stress.-Plant Soil 39: 205–207, 1973.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Braginets, N.V.: [Irradiation of grain for animal feed.]-Mekhanizatsiya Ėlektrifikatsiya sel’skogo Khozyaïstva 1: 29–31, 1989. [In Russ.]

    Google Scholar 

  • Cao, X.C., Cheng, B.S., Zou, Q., Yuan, S.J., Bi, S.C., Bao, G.F.: Studies on the physiological effects of pulsed magnetic field treatments on wheat.-J. Shandong Agr. Univ. 29: 345–350, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaykin, S.: Biochemistry Laboratory Techniques.-Wiley Eastern Private, New Delhi 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiang, H., Yao, G.D., Fang, Q.S., Wang, K.Q., Lu, D.Z., Zhou, Y.K.: Health effects of environmental electromagnetic fields.-J. Bioelectric. 8: 127–131, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creanga, D., Bara, L.L., Cernea, N., Tufescu, F.M.: The influence of microwaves treatment on some phenotypical parameters at Secale cereale L.-Rev. roum. Biol. Sér. Biol. vég. 41: 45–51, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dario, A.C., Salgado, J.M.: Supplementation of irradiated and non-irradiated cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) protein with cereal proteins.-Plant Foods Human Nutr. 46: 213–219, 1994.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fuller, A.J.B.: An Introduction to Microwave Theory and Techniques. 2nd Ed.-Pergamon Press, Oxford-New York-Toronto-Sydney-Paris-Frankfurt 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hermann, D.M., Hossmann, K.A.: Neurological effects of microwave exposure related to mobile communication.-J. neurol. Sci. 152: 1–14, 1997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, Y.Y., Xu, Y., Pan, J.Z.: Effect of microwave treatment on germination of rice seeds.-Plant Physiol. Commun. 30: 414–416, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jindal, K.K., Singh, RN.: Phenolic content in male and female Carica papaya: a possible physiological marker for sex identification of vegetative seedlings.-Physiol. Plant. 3: 104–107, 1975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozai, T., Kitaya, Y., Oh, Y.S., Kano, A.: Microwave-powered lamps at high intensity light source for plant growth.-Acta Horticult. 399: 107–112, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krizek, D.T., Mierck, RM., Bailey, W.A.: Uniformity of photosynthetic photon flux and growth of Poinsett cucumber plants under metal halide and microwave-powered sulfur lamps.-Biotronics 27: 81–92, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Y.P., Takahashi, T.: An improved colorimetric determination of amino acids with the use of ninhydrin.-Anal. Biochem. 14: 71–77, 1966.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mashaly, H.A.M.: Analytical Studies of the Effects of Microwave Radiation on the Behavior of Some Elements in Some Rat Organs.-M.Sc. Thesis, Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metzner, H., Rau, H., Senger, H.: Untersuchungen zur Synchronisierbarkeit einzelner Pigmentmangel-Mutanten von Chlorella.-Planta 65: 186–194, 1965.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ponomarev, L.L, Dolgodvorov, V.E., Popov, V.V., Rodin, S.V. Roman, O.A.: [Effect of low intensity electromagnetic microwave field on the germination power of cereal seeds.]-Izv. Timiryazevskoï sel’shokhoz. Akad. 1996(2): 42–46, 1996. [In Russ.]

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, Y.V.S., Chakravarthy, N.V.K., Panda, B.C.: Effect of microwave on germination and initial growth of mustard seeds.-Indian J. Agron. 34: 378–379, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sicher, R.C.: Irradiance and spectral quality affect chlorosis of barley primary leaves during growth in elevated carbon dioxide.-Int. J. Plant Sci. 158: 602–607, 1997.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D., Poulsen, G.M., Roguse, C.A.: Extraction of total available carbohydrates from grass and legume tissues.-Plant Physiol. 39: 960–962, 1964.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Snedecor, G.W., Cochran, W.B.: Statistical Methods. 7th Ed.-Iowa State University Press, Ames 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherley, P.E., Barrs, H.D.: Examination of relative turgidity technique for estimating water deficits in leaves.-Aust. J. biol. Sci. 15: 413–418, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hamada, E.A.M. Effects of microwave treatment on growth, photosynthetic pigments and some metabolites of wheat. Biol Plant 51, 343–345 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-007-0068-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-007-0068-y

Additional key words

Navigation