How can the electrical polarity of axial organs regulate plant growth and IAA transport?

Abstract

Alteration of the electrical polarity in sections of maize (Zeamays L. cv. Odesskaya‐80) coleoptiles and pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Cubanecz) internodes by passing a weak electric current longitudinally (6 μA, anode placed at the apical end of the section) increased their elongation rate 2–3 fold with a lag period of 2.5 min. Inhibitors of polar auxin transport, e.g. N‐1‐naphthylphtalamic and 2,3,5‐triiodobenzoic acids and also ethylene glycol‐bis(β‐aminoethylether)‐N,N,N'N'‐tetraacetic acid (EGTA), a chelator of divalent cations, decreased the growth rate of the sections and inhibited the growth‐stimulating effect of the electric current. The observed acceleration of growth of axial plant organs under the action of a weak electric current is suggested to be connected with changes in the mode of action of the basipetal auxin transport system.

The effect of DC electric field on the elongation growth, proton extrusion and membrane potential of Zea mays L. coleoptile cells; a laboratory study

“…Maize ( Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in the world and is very often used as the experimental material [ 18 ]. In recent years, much attention has been paid to plant growth and development due to increasing environmental exposure, including climate changes, which may additionally have a negative impact on cereal crops, including Zea mays L. Previously, only a few studies on the effect of the electric field on the growth of plant cells were conducted using Zea mays L [ 19 – 21 ].…”

“…It should also be added that Desrosiers and Bandurski [ 19 ] attributed the inhibitory effect of the electric field to the changes in the voltage-dependent gating of the movement of IAA from stele to cortex. Interestingly, Medvedev and Markova [ 21 ] observed both accelerations of growth and activation of IAA transport when the apical part of the coleoptile segments was positively charged during the voltage application.…”