Electrical stimulation boosts seed germination, seedling growth, and thermotolerance improvement in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Electrical signaling, similar to chemical signalings such as calcium (Ca 2+), reactive oxygen species (ROS, mainly hydrogen peroxide: H 2 O 2), nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), regulates many physiological processes. However, the effect of electrical stimulation on seed germination, seedling growth, and thermotolerance improvement in maize was little known. In this study, using maize as materials, the effect of electrical stimulation on seed germination, seedling growth, and thermotolerance improvement in maize was explored. The results suggested that electrical stimulation with optimal intensity boosted germination rate and seedling growth (as indicated in the increase in the length of shoots and roots, as well as fresh weight) under normal germination conditions. In addition, electrical stimulation augmented the survival rate of maize seedlings, mitigated the decrease in the tissue vitality, and reduced the peroxidation of membrane lipids under heat stress. These data suggested that electrical stimulation could boost seed germination, seedling growth, and thermotolerance improvement in maize.

Development of An Electrical Sterilization Device for Stored Grains تطوير جهاز تعقيم کهربي للحبوب المخزنة.

“…The low rates of insect infestations are due to the elimination of all insect eggs, as the electrical treatment is characterized by eliminating any living creature with moisture content. The results are in agreement with (Li et al, 2019) which studied the electrical effect of corn seeds and found that adults, larvae or eggs are subjected to fatal heat stress that leads to their non-emergence. As well, (Table 4) showed the probability significance using ANOVA tests for all the measurements.…”

“…However, (Dannehl, 2018 andSukhov et al, 2019) studied the positive effect of electric fields on some crops and fruits on activating metabolic processes inside grains and thus increasing germination rate due to increases in ATP content in the treated seeds. Also, (Li et al, 2019) showed a significant increase in the germination rate of maize as a result of exposure to an electric field for only 10 minutes.…”

Characterization of plant growth promoting potential of 3D-printed plant microbial fuel cells

“…One common cause of growth enhancement in polarized plants is electrostimulation. It is the incorporation of electricity into the plant system, which is known for its ability to regulate plant growth by modifying cellular metabolism, with electric field inducing faster movement of ions in the soil, boosting nutrient uptake and metabolism in the plant (Li, Gou, and Li 2019). It is also being eyed as a replacement for the usual chemical fungicides for plant defense, as it has been proven to reduce fungal diseases in plants (Mori et al 2021).…”

“…A study showed that a 6V DC provided through graphite electrodes enhanced the activity of laccase, an enzyme in plants, in the anode region (C. Wang et al 2015). Most importantly, electrical stimulation also enhances protein synthesis by inducing plant defense response, increasing the transcription levels of pathogenesis-related proteins (Mori et al 2021), and regulating the gene expression of enzymes for ribosome proteins (Li, Gou, and Li 2019). This is a potential foundation for a deeper understanding of the connection between polarization and protein synthesis in plants.…”