The Effects of Uniform and Nonuniform Magnetic Fields in Plant Growth: A Meta-Analysis Approach

PAPER manual Bioelectromagnetics 2023 Meta-analysis Effect: mixed Evidence: Moderate

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1002/bem.22445 PMID: 37070793 Evidence Lab

Abstract

The Effects of Uniform and Nonuniform Magnetic Fields in Plant Growth: A Meta-Analysis Approach Tapia-Belmonte F, Concha A, Poupin MJ. The Effects of Uniform and Nonuniform Magnetic Fields in Plant Growth: A Meta-Analysis Approach. Bioelectromagnetics. 2023 Jul-Sep;44(5-6):95-106. doi: 10.1002/bem.22445. Abstract Magnetic field (MF) effects have been reported in plants' growth, seed germination, gene expression, and water consumption. Accordingly, magnetic treatments have been proposed as a sustainable alternative to improve yields. Nevertheless, a comprehensive quantitative assessment is needed to understand whether their effects are general, species-specific, or dependent on the experimental setting. We conducted a multilevel meta- analysis of 45 articles that studied 29 different plant species. A positive and neutral effect of a nonuniform MF was found on fresh weight and germination rate, respectively. A significant association was found between a uniform MF and germination. These results suggest that MFs improve plant growth. However, the effects are highly dependent on the experimental setting. This opens exciting questions about the biophysical mechanisms underlying the perception and transduction of this environmental cue and about the possible translation to agricultural practices. Conclusions A multilevel meta-analysis with cross-level interaction was carried out to address the contradictory observations found across the literature regarding the effects of a magnetic field in plants. The results suggest that nonuniform magnetic fields could be optimal to increase fresh weight in various plant species. However, prolonged experiment duration and uniform magnetic fields seem to be the best approach to increase germination percentages, revealing a possible accumulated magnetic effect. This suggests that plants perceive and transduce gradients of MF rather than the magnitude thereof. This opens exciting questions about the underlying biophysical mechanisms that can generate such a particular response to magnetic fields. This breaks new ground to further explore the MF role in their growth, development, and evolution, with possible translations to sustainable agriculture. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Meta-analysis

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Plants (29 species)

Sample size

Exposure

magnetic field exposure (uniform and nonuniform)

Evidence strength

Moderate

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

A multilevel meta-analysis of 45 articles found a positive effect of nonuniform magnetic fields on fresh weight and a neutral effect on germination rate. A significant association was reported between uniform magnetic fields and germination; overall, results suggest magnetic fields can improve plant growth but effects depend strongly on experimental setting.

Outcomes measured

plant growth
fresh weight
seed germination / germination rate
gene expression
water consumption

Limitations

Effects reported as highly dependent on the experimental setting
Contradictory observations across the literature (as noted by authors)

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "meta_analysis",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "magnetic field exposure (uniform and nonuniform)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Plants (29 species)",
    "sample_size": 45,
    "outcomes": [
        "plant growth",
        "fresh weight",
        "seed germination / germination rate",
        "gene expression",
        "water consumption"
    ],
    "main_findings": "A multilevel meta-analysis of 45 articles found a positive effect of nonuniform magnetic fields on fresh weight and a neutral effect on germination rate. A significant association was reported between uniform magnetic fields and germination; overall, results suggest magnetic fields can improve plant growth but effects depend strongly on experimental setting.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Effects reported as highly dependent on the experimental setting",
        "Contradictory observations across the literature (as noted by authors)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "magnetic field",
        "uniform magnetic field",
        "nonuniform magnetic field",
        "plants",
        "plant growth",
        "fresh weight",
        "germination",
        "meta-analysis",
        "experimental setting",
        "agriculture"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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