THE EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC-RADIATION FROM THE SKRUNDA RADIO LOCATION STATION ON SPIRODELA-POLYRHIZA (L) SCHLEIDEN CULTURES

The effect of electromagnetic radiation from the Skrunda Radio Locatio n Station was studied on the vegetative growth and morphology of the d uckweed Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleiden plant in the next generatio n. The impact of plant development stage and length of the exposure pe riod were examined. The effect of short-term (5-day) exposures of Spir odela cultures depended on the stage of development at the time of exp osure. Generally, the vegetative reproduction rate was accelerated in the first 20 days after the end of exposure. Exposure of plants just b eginning formation lowered the vegetative growth rate. Eighty-eight-ho ur exposure caused the appearance of some abnormal individuals after 3 0 days of growth. At 55 days, various morphological and developmental abnormalities appeared in 6-10 daughter plants from 10 exposed mother plants, compared with 0.1 plants per 10 in the control condition. Plan ts developed completely to daughter fronds under exposure from the ele ctromagnetic field had a shorter life-span (67 days compared to 87 day s in the control) and fewer subsequent daughters (total eight compared to 10 in the control group).