Effect of a longitudinally applied voltage upon the growth of Zea mays seedlings.
The electrical parameters that affect young seedling growth were investigated.  Voltages ranging from 5 to 40 volts were applied longitudinally along the mesocotyl region of 4-day old Zea mays L. (cv Silver Queen) seedlings for periods of 3 or 4 hours.  It was determined that: (a) making the tips of the seedlings electrically positive relative to the base strongly inhibited shoot growth at 5 volts, whereas the reverse polarity had no effect; (b) at higher voltages, making the tip of the seedlings negative caused less growth inhibition than the reverse polarity at each voltage level; (c) the higher the applied voltage the greater the degree of inhibition; and, (d) the more growth inhibition experienced by the plants the poorer, and slower, their recovery.  Previous observations of a relationship between the amount of free indole-3-acetic acid in the mesocotyl cortex and the growth rate of the mesocotyl and of gravitropism-induced movement of labeled indole-3-acetic acid from the seed to the shoot lead to the prediction of a voltage-dependent gating of the movement of indole-3-acetic acid from the stele to the cortex.  This provided the basis for attempting to alter the growth rate of seedlings by means of an applied voltage.
Desrosiers
M F
MF
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
Bandurski
R S
RS
D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D004560:Electricity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D003313:Zea mays / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology