To examine the effect of electric fields on the growth of soy seedlings.
Four groups were examined (23 seedlings per group): 1.) control group, 2.) exposure to a static electric field (3600 V/m), 3.) exposure to a 50 Hz electric field (1800 V/m) and 4.) exposure to a 50 Hz electric field (3600 V/m).
The experiments were repeated 4 to 6 times in different times of the year to take into account seasonal trends.
| Exposure | Parameters |
|---|---|
|
Exposure 1:
Exposure duration:
continuous for 6 days
|
|
|
Exposure 2:
50 Hz
Exposure duration:
continuous for 6 days
|
|
| Frequency | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Exposure duration | continuous for 6 days |
| Exposure source |
|
|---|---|
| Setup | each seed placed in a 1 cm x 1cm x 20 cm cell of a 1 cm x 25 cm x 20 cm multi-cell polycarbonate panel, closed on the bottom with filter paper; panel placed inside an aluminum Faraday cage with a 10 cm x 27 cm copper plate at the top and the bottom of the panel with a distance of 28 cm between them; copper plates connected to a power suppy; two Faraday cages put inside a constant-climate chamber with 25 +/- 0.5° C and a relative humidity of 60 +/- 5 % |
| Sham exposure | A sham exposure was conducted. |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| electric field strength | 3,600 V/m | - | - | - | - |
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Waveform | |
| Exposure duration | continuous for 6 days |
| Exposure source |
|
|---|---|
| Sham exposure | A sham exposure was conducted. |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| electric field strength | 1,800 V/m | peak-to-peak value | - | - | - |
| electric field strength | 3,600 V/m | peak-to-peak value | - | - | - |
The static field did not have a statistical significant influence on the length of the seedlings compared to the control group. However, the seedlings exposed to the 50 Hz electric field (1800 V/m and 3600 V/m) showed a significantly increased length, starting from the 4th day in comparison to the control group.
The results suggest the possibility to influence plant growth by using extremely low frequency electric fields.
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