The Effects of Microwaves on Plant Growth

Background on Microwaves
• Microwaves are forms of electromagnetic radiation.
• Their wavelength’s size range from 300 MHz to 300 GHz.
• They travel based on line-of sight, meaning they are not
effected by their surroundings or the Earth’s surface.
• Practical microwave communication reaches only around 1
km
Background on Microwaves Continued

• Microwave technology is used most commonly in

microwave ovens, point-to-point telecommunication,
and radar technology
• Microwaves are little threat to people since they only
produce non-ionizing radiation
Background on Seeds
• A seed is an enclosed embryotic plant that is
used in the reproduction of plants.
• The structure of a typical seed includes and
embryo which is surrounded by a seed coat.
• Germination of the seed involves reactivating
the metabolic pathways that cause plant
growth.
The Hypothesis
• The hypothesis for this experiment was that
microwaves would positively effect plant
growth, up to a certain point
• This was the hypothesis because the
microwaves would break down the natural
coating of the seed, causing faster
germination and larger seedlings
• It was also hypothesized that too much
radiation would inhibit plant growth.
Materials List
• Cups
• Soil
• Variety of Seeds(Radish, Cabbage, Marigold,
Green Bean, and Cantaloupe for this
experiment)
• Water
• Microwave Oven
• Ruler/Tape Measure
Procedure
• Place an equal amount(24 oz in this
experiment) of soil into each cup
• Label the cups with which seed will be sown
inside and the amount of time microwaved
• Place the seeds in the microwave for allotted
amounts of time
• Make a hole in the center of the soil
approximately ¾” deep
Procedure Continued
• Place the seeds in the hole and bury them
• Give each cup of seeds an equal amount of
water throughout the experiment
• Check the seeds daily for germination, amount
germinated, and height of tallest seedling.
Results
• The averages for the final height for each seed
group is as follows on the next slides
• Each individual data point can be found on the
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet located on the
Plant Growth Data section of the website
Trial 1 Results
Radish
• 0 sec: 8.6 cm
• 30 sec: 7.3 cm
• 60 sec: 7.8 cm
• 90 sec: 0 cm
Cabbage
• 0 sec: 10.6 cm
• 30 sec: 10.3 cm
• 60 sec: 6.6 cm
• 90 sec: 0 cm
Marigold
• 0 sec: 0.8 cm
• 30 sec: 0.7cm
• 60 sec: 0.5 cm
• 90 sec: 0.3 cm
Trial 2 Results
Radish
• 0 sec: 7.3 cm
• 10 sec: 12.1 cm
• 20 sec: 9.4 cm
• 30 sec: 9.4 cm
Cabbage
• 0 sec: 11.1 cm
• 10 sec: 10.9 cm
• 20 sec: 10.5 cm
• 30 sec: 9 cm
Marigold
• 0 sec: 0.3 cm
• 10 sec: 0.5 cm
• 20 sec: 0.3 cm
• 30 sec: 0.1 cm
Trial 3 Results
Radish
• 0 sec: 11.7 cm
• 5 sec: 9.6 cm
• 10 sec: 6.9 cm
• 15 sec: 6.1 cm
Cabbage
• 0 sec: 9.4 cm
• 5 sec: 9.2 cm
• 10 sec: 10.2 cm
• 15 sec: 11.2 cm
Marigold
• 0 sec: 0.7 cm
• 5 sec: 0.3 cm
• 10 sec: 0.5 cm
• 15 sec: 0 cm
Trial 4 Results
Radish
• 0 sec: 11.2 cm
• 5 sec: 9.7 cm
• 10 sec: 9.3 cm
• 15 sec: 13.5 cm
Green Bean
• 0 sec: 38.5 cm
• 5 sec: 39.2 cm
• 10 sec: 36 cm
• 15 sec: 35.4 cm
Cantaloupe
• 0 sec: 10.6 cm
• 5 sec: 8.8 cm
• 10 sec: 8.7 cm
• 15 sec: 9.1 cm
Trial 5 Results
Radish
• 0 sec: 9.6 cm
• 10 sec: 10 cm
• 20 sec: 11.2 cm
• 30 sec: 8.9 cm
Green Bean
• 0 sec: 35.1 cm
• 10 sec: 43.2 cm
• 20 sec: 39.7 cm
• 30 sec: 32.3 cm
Cantaloupe
• 0 sec: 10 cm
• 10 sec: 9.2 cm
• 20 sec: 8 cm
• 30 sec: 8.2 cm
Conclusions
• When looking at the data, it appears as
though 10 seconds of microwaving is the
optimal time to maximize plant growth and
length, which supports the original
hypothesis.
• This research is important for the agricultural
field, potentially allowing for more crop yield
than before.
Special Thanks
I would like to personally thank my Biology II
teacher, Robert McCall ll, for all of the help with
the project he provided for me.
I would also like to thank Sigma Xi for allowing
me to enter into their competition.
Resources
• Hitchcock, R. Timothy (2004). Radio-frequency and Microwave
Radiation. American Industrial Hygiene Assn. p. 1. ISBN 978-
1931504553.
• “Other Uses of Microwaves.” Other Uses of Microwaves,
ffden-
2.phys.uaf.edu/104_spring2004.web.dir/arts_mcnulty/useofm
icrowaves.htm.
• Galili G; Kigel J (1995). "Chapter One". Seed development and
germination. New York: M. Dekker. ISBN 978-0-8247-9229-9.