PJB-2018-1782
Effects of electromagnetic fields (created by high tension lines) on some indigenous plant species – V. Boraginaceae Juss., Brassicaceae Burnett and Caesalpiniaceae R. Br.
Sahar Zaidi, Surayya Khatoon, M. Imran and Sadaf Zohair
Abstract
The effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs, created by high tension wires) were studied on 34 plant specimens belonging to 9 species of 3 angiosperm families, i.e., Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae and Caesalpiniaceae. The specimens were collected from their natural ecosystems, growing in and around Karachi, under high tension wires of 132, 220 and 500 kilo volts. The same species were also collected as control specimens from areas free from high tension wires. The test and control specimens were studied for PMC meiosis, meiotic product and pollen fertility. A significantly higher frequency of meiotic abnormalities and pollen sterility was observed in the test over the control specimens. Besides, a considerable increase in the magnetic field strength was observed with the increase in voltage of high tension wires. Significantly higher percentages of meiotic abnormalities occurred in the test specimens compared to controls. These abnormalities included univalents and multivalent formation, stickiness, precocious chromosomes, laggards, bridges, multipolar division etc. The study of meiotic product showed the formation of diads and hypertetrads in addition to the normal tetrads. In addition, the percentage of sterile pollen grains was significantly higher in the high EMF exposed specimens.
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