Physiological and Genetic Analyses of Arabidopsis Thaliana Growth Responses to Electroporation

Abstract

Stress-induced effect on Arabidopsis thaliana seeds due to high-intensity electrical pulses is described. The pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment system was constructed under the concept of electroporation to deliver 10-nanosecond, 5-Hz pulse train with the energy density per pulse up to 4 kJ ·kg (-1). The analysis of the growth responses revealed that the optimal specific energy of ∼ 1 kJ · kg (-1) delivered the positive effect on the early growth with significant enhancement in the germination percentage and leaf area expansion. The same treatment energy, in addition, contributed to the higher level of the gene expression at nearly tenfold (PAD3 and PR1) compared with untreated control. Such optimistic evidences suggest that the PEF treatment may have practical applications such as to stimulate the delayed germination in preserved economical crops and should be preferred over chemical treatments due to its short-term effect.

Effect of Germination on Seed Protein Quality and Secondary Metabolites and Potential Modulation by Pulsed Electric Field Treatment

“…Arabidopsis thaliana EFS: 5, 10, 15, 20 kV/cm NP: 100 PW: 10 ns PF: 5 Hz PM: 1% sodium chloride solution PEF at an SPI = ~ 1 kJ/kg was optimal for increasing the growth rate and germination percentage of the seeds. [96] SPI: 0.25, 1, 2.25, 4 kJ/kg Equipment: SL300 high voltage DC source with 100 MΩ capacitor Application timing: After soaking PEF at an EFS of 5-15 kV/cm increased the germination rate from 79% for untreated seeds to 87-99% for PEF-treated seeds. The germination percentage increased and the mean germination time decreased for all three PEF treatments.…”

“…Given the importance of seed moisture content, most studies investigating the use of PEF to enhance the rate and efficiency of germination have applied PEF following an initial soaking period ( Table 1 ). For example, a PEF treatment (5–15 kV/cm) of Arabidopsis thaliana improved the germination rate from 79% for untreated seeds to 87–99% after 14 days [ 96 ]. The greatest improvement in germination rate was observed in response to 10 kV/cm, corresponding to a specific pulse energy of 1000 J/kg, which increased the germination rate on day five from 67% to 94% and up to 99% on day fourteen.…”

Analysis of seed dormancy breakage and seedling growth in sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) through the electrical stimulation method: a scientific perspective aimed at promoting bioethanol production

“…Black et al (1971) reported that electrical stimulation of tomato seeds increased the assimilation of ions, in particular calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. In addition, Songnuan et al (2015) reported that under high-energy fields, Arabidopsis thaliana seeds had higher levels of gene expression at nearly tenfold (PAD3 and PR1) compared with untreated seeds. Hepler (2005) reported that Ca 2+ is a crucial regulator, working as a second messenger in plant cell growth and development and controlling membrane structure and function.…”