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

PAPER manual Plants 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 plants (Tilia tomentosa)

Sample size

—

Exposure

RF DECT and Wi-Fi · 1890 MHz · 102 days

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 82% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to RF-EMF in DECT and Wi-Fi frequency ranges was reported to interfere with electron transport processes of photosynthesis in Tilia plants. Exposed plants showed decreased photosynthetic efficiency, inactivation of part of PSII reaction centers, and accelerated aging over 102 days.

Outcomes measured

photosynthetic performance
fast chlorophyll fluorescence transients
PSII structure and function
photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM)
PSII reaction centers (RC/CSO)
leaf senescence
leaf lifespan

Limitations

Sample size not stated in abstract
Exposure intensity not stated in abstract
Study design details and controls not described in abstract

Suggested hubs

school-wi-fi (0.35)
The study includes Wi-Fi frequency exposures, though it is a plant physiology study rather than a school-specific exposure study.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "DECT and Wi-Fi",
        "frequency_mhz": 1890,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "102 days"
    },
    "population": "Tilia plants (Tilia tomentosa)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "photosynthetic performance",
        "fast chlorophyll fluorescence transients",
        "PSII structure and function",
        "photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM)",
        "PSII reaction centers (RC/CSO)",
        "leaf senescence",
        "leaf lifespan"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Exposure to RF-EMF in DECT and Wi-Fi frequency ranges was reported to interfere with electron transport processes of photosynthesis in Tilia plants. Exposed plants showed decreased photosynthetic efficiency, inactivation of part of PSII reaction centers, and accelerated aging over 102 days.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not stated in abstract",
        "Exposure intensity not stated in abstract",
        "Study design details and controls not described in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.81999999999999995115018691649311222136020660400390625,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "Tilia tomentosa",
        "plants",
        "photosynthesis",
        "chlorophyll fluorescence",
        "JIP-test",
        "PSII",
        "DECT",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "leaf senescence"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.34999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "The study includes Wi-Fi frequency exposures, though it is a plant physiology study rather than a school-specific exposure study."
        }
    ]
}

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.

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