Growth rate and mitotic index analysis of Vicia faba L. Roots exposed to 60-Hz electric fields

✍ Scribed by M. Inoue; Morton W. Miller; Christopher Cox; E. L. Carstesen

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1985
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 550 KB
• Volume: 6
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0197-8462
• DOI: 10.1002/bem.2250060309

✦ Synopsis

Growth, mitotic index, and growth rate recovery were determined for Vicia faba L. roots exposed to 60-Hz electric fields of 200, 290, and 360 V/m in an aqueous inorganic nutrient medium (conductivity 0.07-0.09 S/m). Root growth rate decreased in proportion to the increasing strength; the electric field threshold for a growth rate effect was about 230 V/m. The induced transmembrane potential at the threshold exposure was about 4-7 mV. The mitotic index was not affected by an electric field exposure sufficient to reduce root growth rate to about 35% of control. Root growth rate recovery from 31-96% of control occurred in 4 days after cessation of the 360 V/m exposure. The results support the postulate that the site of action of the applied electric fields is the cell membrane.