Genotoxic Effects of Electromagnetic Fields from High Voltage Power Lines on Some Plants

Abstract

Allium cepa bulbs were germinated in pots for three days on treatment area on which 380 kV high voltage power lines are passing. Ten bulbs were set up for each treatment area (0 m (meter), 10 m, 25 m, 50 m and 100+ m for control from power lines). Triticum baeoticum Boiss. subsp. baeoticum seeds were collected at same distance from power lines on planted field. Ten seeds from each area were germinated in Petri dishes for three days in laboratory. The treatment groups were compared with the control group for mitotic index and chromosome aberrations. Data obtained showed that electromagnetic fields from high voltage power lines increased the mitotic index and chromosome aberrations.