Available online www.jocpr.com Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2015, 7(3):268-271 Research Article ISSN : 0975-7384 CODEN(USA) : JCPRC5 268 Effects of 2G and 3G mobile phone radiations on germination of seeds and growth of seedlings of pulses Leena Parihar* and Pooja Mawal Department of Biotechnology & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India- _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT During the last two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of wireless telecommunication devices including cell phones resulting in increase in the levels of electromagnetic field radiations in the natural environment causing electromagnetic pollution such as electromagnetic field smog. The present study was planned to observe the effects of electromagnetic radiations emitted from mobile phones on the germination of seeds, early growth of seedlings and biochemical changes in emerging seedlings of Vigna radiata (green gram), Cicer arietinum (bengal gram) and Vigna aconitifolia (moth bean). In present study it was observed that the radiations from mobile phones significantly reduced the radicle and plumule growth, fresh weight, dry weight and relative water content. The decrease in the protein content and increase in the lipid content in seedlings depending upon the period of exposure was also observed. The electromagnetic field radiations from cell phones also enhanced the activities of guaiacol peroxidases. The current study depicted that radiations from mobile phones interfere with the biochemical processes in seedlings and may affect their elongation. Keywords: Mobile phone radiations, pulses, Biochemical activities. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION During the last two decades, there has been a widespread increase in the use of wireless telecommunication devices including cell phones resulting in increase in levels of electromagnetic field radiations in the natural environment [1]. No doubt, the enormous and indiscriminate use of mobile phones throughout the world has made our communication instant, advance and fast but along with their advantages they have raised the problems of electromagnetic pollution such as electromagnetic field smog and the risk of tissue level damage in all living organisms- humans, plants and animals. It implied a great need for assessment of environmental risk caused by electromagnetic radiations emitted by mobile phones and towers. The effects of electromagnetic radiations emitted by mobile phones have been intensely studied by scientists. Most of these studies were based on human health [2]. Mobile phones have become ubiquitous in rural areas and popular among farmers. But recent study has revealed that electromagnetic radiations emanating from them may be stunting the growth of agricultural crops and plants. Plants are continuously exposed to electromagnetic radiations in environment and hence maximum effect of electromagnetic radiations can be observed in plants [3, 4]. The present study was carried out to find the effect of electromagnetic radiations emitted from cell phones on the germination of seeds and early growth of emerging seedlings of pulses- Vigna radiata (Green gram), Cicer arietinum (Bengal gram) and Vigna aconitifolia (Moth bean). On the basis of frequency and difference in period of exposure of radiations to seeds the effect was noticed. In present study it was observed that the radiation from