MIHAELA RĂCUCIU

Faculty of Sciences, “Lucian Blaga” University, 7–9, Dr. I. Raţiu Street, Sibiu, 550024, Romania

Abstract. In this paper the author present experimental results regarding the cellular division rate and the percentage of chromosomal aberrations induced in the root meristem cells of maize (plant with major role in people life), provided by germinated seeds in the presence of extremely low frequency magnetic field with frequency of 50 Hz and 10 mT magnetic induction (ELF-MF). 50 Hz ELF-MF was generated by a laboratory exposure system consisting of a pair of parallel coils in a Helmholtz configuration. Optical microscopy investigation (cytogenetically tests) has resulted in the evaluation of mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations index that appeared increased following extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure times. The level of chromosomal aberration induced by ELF-MF in the root meristem cells of maize was lower than 1%.
Key words: ELF-MF, maize roots, cell proliferation, chromosomal aberrations, mitotic index.

Author’s e-mail: mracuciu@yahoo.com

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