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Magnetic field effects on plants and fungi
The effects of weak magnetic fields on the growth and membrane
lipid ergosterol of mycorrhizal fungi Pisolithus tinctorius
were studied. Two types of media were used: solid (pH 6) and
liquid (pH 3). The homogenous sinusoidal magnetic field, generated
by a pair of Helmholtz coils with magnetic flux density 0.025
and 0.1 mT and frequency 50 Hz enhanced the growth of mycelia
at early stages of development. The same field at 0.01 mT,
46 Hz had no observable effects. Analysis of the fungi specific
membrane constituent ergosterol by high performance liquid
chromatography reveals a slightly increased content of ergosterol
in the mycelia (along with the observation of stimulated growth).
The results indicate some importance of the membrane which
is most probably the acceptor of electromagnetic signals, as
has been revealed by many studies on animals. However, more
exact mechanisms for the explanation of these effects are not
known yet. (Ruzic et al. 1997).
We are also interested in studying the effects of weak magnetic
fields on bioluminescence of luminous fungi; however the research
is still in its introductory phase. More about luminescence
studies at our Institute see
here; there are also some other internet links about luminescent
fungi: http://www.luxgene.com/
http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/service/library/for99-021/
http://wildwnc.org/natnotes/lights.html
References
- Ruzic R., Gogala
N. Jerman I. (1997): Sinusoidal magnetic fields: effect
on the growth and content of ergosterol in mycorrhizal
fungi. Electro. Magnetobiol. 16(2): 129-142. Abstract
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