Plant Growth Response in a Simulated Electric Field-environment

Abstract

THE physiological effects on plant growth and plant growth response of environmental factors such as moisture, light, temperature, and similar functions are well documented. Literature relating almost all aspects of these environmental conditions is also quite extensive. Yet little is known of the physiological influence on plant growth of the electric field environment which prevails at all times everywhere. This communication shows that sufficiently high electric fields have a definite effect on plant growth and the growth response. Even though the simulated environmental conditions have been magnified rather grossly, it can be argued that under certain conditions affecting the charge balance in the ionosphere (such as radiation damage due to nuclear explosions¹ and other forms of ionospheric radiation damage²), these conditions could indeed exist in the terrestrial microclimate.