Radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation alters the electric potential of Myriophyllum aquaticum

Electric signaling pathways are important for rapid and long-distance communication within a plant. Changes in the electric potential (EP) inside plants have been observed during the propagation of electric signals. Increasing radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the environment raise the question about possible effects of EMR on the EP of plants. In the present experiment, we investigated the effect of 2, 2.5, 3.5, and 5.5 GHz EMR with a maximum field intensity of 23-25 V m-1 on the EP in emergent Myriophyllum aquaticum plants. The 2 and 5.5 GHz exposures caused significant (16 and 13 %) decreases in the standard deviation of rapid fluctuations observed in the EP. The greatest change was caused by 2.5 GHz EMR (23 % increment), although it was not statistically significant. A recovery of the EP was only after 2.5 GHz EMR exposure. The temperature of the plants was not changed by the EMR exposure. These findings confirm the frequency-dependent non-thermal effects of EMR on the EP of plants.