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Electrical signal propagation within and between tomato plants
Alexander G Volkov1, Yuri B Shtessel2
1Department of Chemistry, Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL 35896, USA.
Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|August 21, 2018
Summary
Electrostimulation of tomato plants generates electrical signals that transmit within and between plants. This study models these electrotonic potentials, revealing insights into plant communication networks.
Area of Science:
- Plant electrophysiology
- Plant signaling and communication
- Mathematical modeling of biological systems
Background:
- Electrostimulation is known to influence various plant physiological processes, including ion transport, gene expression, and growth.
- Plants exhibit intercellular communication both above and below ground.
- Electrical signaling plays a role in plant responses and interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transmission of electrotonic potentials within and between tomato plants induced by electrostimulation.
- To develop and validate a mathematical model for electrotonic potential propagation.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of electrical communication in plant networks.
Main Methods:
- Electrostimulation of tomato plants using square pulses, pulse trains, and sinusoidal/triangular waveforms.
- Experimental measurement of electrotonic potentials in stimulated and neighboring plants.
- Development of a mathematical model to simulate electrotonic potential transmission.
Main Results:
- Electrostimulation with square pulses induces passive electrotonic potentials that propagate within and between tomato plants.
- The characteristics of these potentials are dependent on the applied voltage parameters (amplitude, rise/fall times).
- Evidence of electrical differentiators and refractory periods in cell-to-cell coupling was observed.
- Electrical networks within and between plants demonstrate communication capabilities.
Conclusions:
- A validated mathematical model accurately describes electrotonic potential transmission between tomato plants.
- This study provides a framework for understanding electrical signal propagation and intercellular communication in plants.
- Findings can aid in predicting plant responses to electrostimulation and understanding natural electrical communication networks.
Keywords:
Cell-to-cell electrical couplingElectrical differentiatorElectrostimulationElectrotonic potentialPlant-to-plant signalingSolanum lycopersicumTomato plantMore Related Videos
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