13 research outputs found
Electrophytochemistry - an emerging field of activity
Electrophytochemistry is an interdisciplinary area that deals with the electrical and
electrochemical asDects of Dlant science. Some of the basic techniaues involved are (i) the
measurement of &ll potential (transmembrane) using microelectrodes (ii) the monitoring of
plant-body potential embedding noble metal electrode in conjunction with a reference
electrode set in the soil and (iii) fusion of cells by electrical induction. Membrane studies are
useful in knowing the transport of metabolytes. The variation of plant body potential with time
(electrophytogram) can be related to the gross physiological activity.
Electroculture remains fascinating though benefits on a large scale cannot be confidently
predicted. lonoculture seems promising in improving plant health.
Electrophytochemistry will play a vital role in the development of biotechnology such as
biocatalytic hydrogen production and use of chlorophyll merrtbrane in constructing
photoelectric cells. The electrically induced fusion of cells and entrapment of membrane
impermeable substances and genes in them provide a new tool for the production of a wide
range of cells with manipulated functions, which are used for the solution of problems in cell
biology, medicine and technolog
Buffering action of hydrilla verticillata on the aquatic ph and the effect of cadmium ions on this plant
During photosynthesis on Hydrillaverticillata, the pH of the surrounding water is rendered slightly alkaline
and in the absence of light the pH is brought back to near neutral condition. However, if the habitat pH IS
ac~dico r alkaline due to the effluents present, this plant has a remarkable buffering capacity to bring the
habitat pH to optimum, which is near-neutral. The ability of the plant to raise the pH of the habitat from 7 to
slightly alkalinity under illumination is lost when cadmium ions are present in water. The buffering action
of the plant has been studied in (a) acidic and alkaline conditions (b) natural and distilled water and (c)
nutrient solutions under normal and artificial illumination. A typical electrophyiogram of a twig is also
included
Plant bioelectric potential variation in croton (euphorbiaceous genus codiaeum) under natural light conditions pulse anodic stripping voltammetry
Plant bioelectric potential (BEPI variation was observed in actively photosynthesizing leaves of croton plant under natural light
conditions. It was found to vary with the intensity of light. BEP reached a 'saturation' value in 4 to 4% hours time on upper
surface of leaf, whereas 'saturation' occurred in 2 % hours for the lower surface of the leaf. The BEP of leaf exposed to sunlight
was considerably higher than that of leaf covered. The BEP slowly declined after the 'saturation' value during midday and
reached a minimum at midnight and early hours of the day. It is suggested here that BEP arises due to light dependent processes
namely photosynthesis in plant
Influence of prolonged submergence on the electrochemical properties of karaikudi red soil of lateritic origin
Karaikudi red soil of lateritic origin was subjected to prolonged submergence under laboratory conditions. The
changes in its electrical resistance, pH and soil redox potential were monitored over a period of 60 days. From the
initial value of 340 mV, the E, fell to -360 mV and remained thereafter al'most steady. At a steady pH of 6.9 the
most probable soil redox equilibrium that controls the E, value at this level could be the Fe+++lFeti system. The
fall in pH was from 7.5 to 6.9 only, probably owing to the presence of low organic carbon content. The bulk
resistance decreased from 300 to 150 ohms due to the release of ions into the soil solution.
Another soil sample was kept under submergence in a glass container for a period of 41 days. The soil solution
collected during this period was analysed for Na, K, Ca, Zn, Mn and Fe using AAS. The concentrations of almost
all the ions increased with time. The release of iron took almost two days. The E, values have been correlated with
the increasing concentration of Mn and Fe over this period. The rising concentration curves of Mn and Fe are
exponential in nature
Water status of a plant body and its ohmic resistances
The electrical resistivity of a plant body was determined using (i) a four probe resistivity bridge and (ii) a two probe a.c. conductivity bridge. Measurements were taken by inserting Pt electrode either into the stem or leaf petiole. Measurements by d.c. method had been found to result in polarization. The plant body resistivity was of the order of 10^4-10^5 om.cm. The i-E curves obtained for plant leaves and stems were linear. Resistance measured varied predictably with uptake and loss of water and correlated positively with measurements of leaf water potential (LWP) and also leaf electric potential (LEP). In this paper, correlation between electrical resistance, LWP and LEP are presente
Improvements in or relating to electrolytic preparation of lead dioxide electrodes for electrolysis
Electropotential measurements on germinating seeds of country bean (dolichos lablab)
Electropotentials (EP) of germinating country bean, Dolichos lablab remained steady initially for 3-4 days. As the radicle emerged out, the potential decreased by about 200 mV and remained at this level for 2-3 days. As seedlings turned green the potential rose gradually by 200-400 mV and remained steady. These changes in electropotentials were marked under hydroponic conditions than in a plant grown on the soil. The fall and rise in EP are distributed to respiration and photosynthesis respectivel
Recent advances in plant bioelectromagnetics
This review analyses the state-of-the-art in the field of bioelectromagnetics with respect to plant growth. The field induced had been either constant or pulsating, varying from weak to strong. This paper summarises the observations and discusses the possible mechanism
Effects of colour lights and saline water irrigation on the germination and cation uptake of capsicum annuum
The chilli seeds were germinated under different colour lights. The percentage of germination was in the order red >= yellow >= green > control > blue. Energy rations of red, yellow, green, and blue lights against control were 1.13 > 1.03 > 0.92 and > 0.76. The chlorophyll ratio against the control was in the reverse order. Under pot conditions, upto 0.33% NaCl solution enhanced seed germination compared with ordinary tap water. However, the percentage of survival decreased as the concentration of salt increase