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The responses of pollen to applied electrical fields.
C Wang1, K S Rathore, K R Robinson
1Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907.
Developmental Biology
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Growing pollen tubes of tomato and tobacco exhibit electrotropism, orienting towards the positive anode in response to electrical fields. This directional growth was observed even at low field strengths, indicating sensitivity to electrical stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Cellular electrophysiology
- Bioelectricity
Background:
- Pollen tube growth is crucial for plant fertilization.
- Cellular responses to electrical fields are observed in various biological systems.
- The role of electrical fields in directing plant cell growth is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of electrical fields on the growth direction of tomato and tobacco pollen tubes.
- To determine the sensitivity of pollen tube electrotropism to varying electrical field strengths.
Main Methods:
- Growing pollen tubes of tomato and tobacco were subjected to controlled electrical fields.
- The direction of pollen tube growth relative to the electrical field was measured.
- Pollen germination sites were analyzed under applied electrical fields.
Main Results:
- Pollen tubes consistently grew towards the positive electrode (anode).
- A detectable response was observed at electrical field strengths as low as 0.1 mV/tube diameter.
- Pollen tube germination sites were influenced, with tubes emerging from the anodal side at 0.4 mV/grain diameter.
Conclusions:
- Tomato and tobacco pollen tubes exhibit positive electrotropism.
- Pollen tube growth is sensitive to weak electrical fields, suggesting a role for bioelectricity in plant development.
- Electrical fields can influence the site of pollen germination and tube emergence.