The research involves a close collaboration between two BBEMG teams:
– Bottelare Experimental farm (University College Ghent – Ghent University) (J. Latré, V. Claeys, S. Landschoot, K. Dewitte, G. Haesaert)
– Sciensano (M. Ledent, S. Segers, B. Mertens, L. Verschaeve, A. Maes, R. Anthonissen & J. Van De Maele, E. De Clercq)
Literature review
The number of recently published papers studying the effect ELF-MF generated by high-voltage power lines on agricultural crop production under field conditions is limited. In summary, ELF-EMF exposure can significantly influence various biological systems, with implications across agriculture, plant pathology, and ecosystem health. Evidence suggests that ELF-EMFs may increase the pathogenicity of plant pathogens, particularly under high-voltage power lines, potentially heightening plant disease risks. While magnetic fields may improve phosphorus availability in the wheat rhizosphere through enhanced microbial activity and enzyme function, they also present challenges, such as oxidative stress in certain plants like tobacco, which can impact agricultural productivity if defence systems are overwhelmed. Similarly, weak magnetic fields can modify plant chemical composition, affecting litter quality and potentially promoting longer-term soil carbon storage. ELF-EMFs showed a protective effect in wheat during drought, delaying adverse effects on photosynthesis and transpiration, though this benefit appears conditional upon the presence of stress factors. Further investigation into exposure durations, field strengths, and specific environmental conditions is essential to optimize potential benefits and mitigate risks associated with ELF-EMFs across ecosystems. In animal systems, research to date suggests minimal impact on embryo orientation in bats, though prolonged exposure studies are needed. Honeybee pollination services, however, may experience direct negative effects under EMF exposure, warranting attention to pollinator health near high-voltage areas.
Field study
Based on the sentinel-2 images on different time points and drone images more at the end of the growing season no negative effect on maize growth and development resulting from the presence of the high voltage power line was observed.
The selected fields were harvested and yield maps have been generated, but since the contractor is still busy with the maize harvest, we have not yet been able to obtain the yield maps.
The research involves a close collaboration between two BBEMG teams:
– Bottelare Experimental farm (University College Ghent – Ghent University) (J. Latré, V. Claeys, S. Landschoot, K. Dewitte, G. Haesaert)
– Sciensano (M. Ledent, S. Segers, B. Mertens, L. Verschaeve, A. Maes, R. Anthonissen & J. Van De Maele, E. De Clercq)
Literature review
Exposure of plants to magnetic radiation can elicit various physiological responses in plants. However, there are few studies that study the continuous exposure of ELF-EMF generated by power lines at 50 Hz on plants. These studies show that with low to moderate exposure there would certainly be no negative effect on plant growth. Some parameters turned out to be positively influenced, whereby an EMF with a low (2 kV/m, 50 Hz) field strength or at approximately 250 m from the high-voltage line can act as a bio-stimulator, which can promote the growth of certain crops. Directly below the line there could be a slight decline in productivity. However, the differences in productivity measured as a result of the radiation are often inferior to the differences as a result of e.g. weather conditions. Note that these conclusions are based on a few studies, so more research in different crops is needed.
Field study
Based on the limited number of fields monitored so far (with different sensors), no effect (neither positive nor negative) on the development and yield of wheat could be demonstrated.
J. Latré, S. Landschoot, K. Dewitte
Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) can potentially trigger stress responses in plants. However, results from the literature are inconclusive and further research is needed. The Proefhoeve Bottelare team participates in BBEMG with a quarterly broad literature study on the effects of non-ionising radiation on fauna/flora/biodiversity including the effect on agricultural crops with an overview of newly published studies in the field. Furthermore, within the BBEMG, the Proefhoeve Bottelare HoGent – UGent will investigate the impact of non-ionising radiation (electromagnetic radiation around high-voltage installations) on crop production in an agricultural context and this over a three-year period. The focus will be on maize and cereals, on the one hand because the cultivated area of these in Belgium is very large and on the other hand because existing shredders/threshers are capable of generating site-specific yield maps. To check the impact of ELF-MF on plant growth and ultimately yield, the fields will be visited several times during the growing season, whereby the field will be crossed and radiation will be measured according to a certain pattern and GPS coordinates will be recorded. At the same time, sensors (e.g. UAV with camera, satellite images, sensors on the tractor) will be used to map the health status of the crop. At harvest time, yield maps of the plot will then be determined. Afterwards, the ELF-MF in the field, the crop health status during the growing season and the final yield will be linked and the effect of the ELF-MF will be quantified.
