Does 900 MHz electromagnetic field induce oxidative stress in wheat plants

Recently, some research studies have found a relationship between radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by a mobile phone and oxidative stress. Plants display a highly varied developmental and biochemical responses related to stress adaptation. A common response to most stressors is an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) because stress conditions disturb cellular homeostasis between generation and neutralization of these highly reactive molecules. If not scavenged, ROS can damage plants by oxidizing membrane lipids, proteins, photosynthetic pigments, nucleic acids. ROS can also act as signaling molecules and trigger a range of cellular responses important for stress tolerance. The strong control of ROS level in cells is achieved by the antioxidant defense system including various antioxidant enzymes. The aim of our work was to investigate the effect of mobile phone radiation on parameters of oxidative stress: malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content in wheat leaves (Triticum aestivum). Whole plants were exposed for 1 hour to EM radiation from GSM mobile phone (carrier frequency 902 MHz, 2 W pulse output power) at 20 cm distance from the antenna. Concentrations of MDA and H2O2 in leaves were measured immediately after the end of the exposure