Effects of radiofrequency radiation on root tip cells of Zea mays

In this study, the mutagenic effects of low power radiofrequency radiation on Zea mays root tip were studied. Cells in different division phases and chromosomal aberration assay were used to determine the mitotic index and chromosomal aberration frequency of Zea mays root tip cells induced by 900MHz radiofrequency radiation. Zea mays seeds, having a uniform genophond, have been exposed to RF field of low power density, for different time intervals, between 1.0 and 36.0 hours. Exposure to RF field was applied to seeds before germination process. Continuous wave on 900 MHz was used for irradiation. Incident field distribution in the irradiation area was characterized, so as an as possible as uniform field to be applied in the volume of the sample. The results showed that the mitotic index and chromosomal aberration frequency showed linear increasing for radiofrequency radiation treatment of increased exposure time.