Reduced Photosynthetic Efficiency of Tilia (Tilia tomentosa) Exposed to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF)—JIP-Test Analysis

PAPER manual Plants (Basel) 2026 Other Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3390/plants15121824 Evidence Lab

Abstract

The growing use of wireless technology significantly increases the exposure of all living organisms to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). However, the physiological effects of RF-EMF on plants have not yet been sufficiently researched. In this study, we investigated the effects of RF-EMF radiation in the frequency ranges 1890–1900 MHz (DECT) and 2.4 GHz plus 5 GHz (Wi-Fi) on photosynthetic performance of Tilia plants (Tilia tomentosa). The recorded fast chlorophyll fluorescence transients were used to analyze the structure and function of PSII by the JIP-test. The analysis of the fluorescence of chlorophyll a showed that the RF-EMF interfered with the electron transport processes of photosynthesis. Tilia plants exposed to RF-EMF induced decrease in photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM) and inactivation of part of PSII reaction centers (RC/CSO). Observations of leaf senescence and lifespan over a period of 102 days showed that RF-EMF-exposed Tilia plants exhibited accelerated aging.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Other

Effect direction

harm

Population

Tilia tomentosa plants

Sample size

—

Exposure

RF DECT and Wi-Fi · Observations were conducted over 102 days; exact exposure duration was not stated.

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 97% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

RF-EMF exposure at 1890–1900 MHz and 2.4 plus 5 GHz was associated with impaired photosynthetic electron transport, decreased photosynthetic efficiency, and inactivation of some PSII reaction centers. Exposed plants also exhibited accelerated leaf aging during the 102-day observation period.

Outcomes measured

Fast chlorophyll fluorescence transients
Photosystem II structure and function assessed by JIP-test
Photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM)
Active PSII reaction centers (RC/CSO)
Photosynthetic electron transport
Leaf senescence and lifespan

Limitations

Sample size was not reported in the abstract.
Exposure intensity or dosimetry was not reported in the abstract.
The exact exposure duration and schedule were not stated.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "DECT and Wi-Fi",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Observations were conducted over 102 days; exact exposure duration was not stated."
    },
    "population": "Tilia tomentosa plants",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Fast chlorophyll fluorescence transients",
        "Photosystem II structure and function assessed by JIP-test",
        "Photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM)",
        "Active PSII reaction centers (RC/CSO)",
        "Photosynthetic electron transport",
        "Leaf senescence and lifespan"
    ],
    "main_findings": "RF-EMF exposure at 1890–1900 MHz and 2.4 plus 5 GHz was associated with impaired photosynthetic electron transport, decreased photosynthetic efficiency, and inactivation of some PSII reaction centers. Exposed plants also exhibited accelerated leaf aging during the 102-day observation period.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size was not reported in the abstract.",
        "Exposure intensity or dosimetry was not reported in the abstract.",
        "The exact exposure duration and schedule were not stated."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.9699999999999999733546474089962430298328399658203125,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
        "RF-EMF",
        "Tilia tomentosa",
        "DECT",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "1890–1900 MHz",
        "2.4 GHz",
        "5 GHz",
        "photosynthesis",
        "photosystem II",
        "PSII",
        "JIP-test",
        "chlorophyll fluorescence",
        "leaf senescence"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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.

Comments

No comments yet.