The use of an electric field in increasing the resistance of plants to the action of unfavorable space flight factors.

Advances in space research : the official journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) · 2004 · Benefit · Insufficient evidence

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BenefitInsufficient evidencePaper 3650

Study snapshot

PublicationAdvances in space research : the official journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) · 2004

Study typeother

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

The key role in increasing the resistance of plants to unfavorable space flight factors is assigned to biomembranes of root cells. It is these biomembranes in which numerous biochemical and biophysical processes determining the adaptive capacity of plant organisms occur. In the initial period of exposure to unfavorable space flight factors the adaptation reactions of the plant organism undoubtedly increase its resistance. But the intensification of removal of H+ ions through the plasmalemma with an increase of the external influence sharply raises the quantity of cations leaving the cell, which leads to the accumulation of a considerable quantity of intracellular negative charges. These charges together with negative charges built in the membrane force protons to concentrate on the external surface of the membrane. Since protons have a very strong electric field, they form such a charge of which the electric field is about from several to hundreds of V/cm. The concentration of positive charges of protons entails the formation of a double electric field which extremely impedes the diffusion of other ions. Thus, a proton barrier is formed. Its length can be very considerable due to which the whole process of transmembrane energy and mass-transfer is disturbed. The proton barrier is easily destroyed by a weak electric field created in the root zone. In experiments on electrostimulation of different plants under space flight conditions at the orbital station MIR the absorption of nutrient elements by the root system increased to the optimal level, the ratio of physiologically active substances in the rhizosphere was normalized, the content of chlorophyll, carotin, and ascorbic acid in leaves corresponded to the ground-based control. Understanding of the mechanism of formation of a proton barrier on the plasmalemma of root cells as a result of the response of plants to the negative action of external factors (microgravity) is of great importance. It allows the possibility of life support of the vegetable kingdom in extreme conditions to be estimated in a new way.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionbenefit

Populationplants (different plants) under space flight conditions (orbital station MIR)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The abstract proposes that a weak electric field in the root zone can destroy a proton barrier on root-cell plasmalemma formed under unfavorable space flight factors. In MIR space-flight electrostimulation experiments, nutrient element absorption increased to an optimal level, rhizosphere physiologically active substance ratios were normalized, and leaf chlorophyll, carotin, and ascorbic acid contents corresponded to ground-based control.

Outcomes measured

absorption of nutrient elements by the root system
ratio of physiologically active substances in the rhizosphere
leaf content of chlorophyll
leaf content of carotin
leaf content of ascorbic acid
plant resistance/adaptation to unfavorable space flight factors (microgravity)

Limitations

No quantitative exposure parameters for the electric field are provided (e.g., field strength, waveform, frequency).
No sample size or details of experimental design (e.g., controls, randomization) are reported in the abstract.
Outcomes are described qualitatively without statistical results.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "electric field (root zone electrostimulation)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "plants (different plants) under space flight conditions (orbital station MIR)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "absorption of nutrient elements by the root system",
    "ratio of physiologically active substances in the rhizosphere",
    "leaf content of chlorophyll",
    "leaf content of carotin",
    "leaf content of ascorbic acid",
    "plant resistance/adaptation to unfavorable space flight factors (microgravity)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The abstract proposes that a weak electric field in the root zone can destroy a proton barrier on root-cell plasmalemma formed under unfavorable space flight factors. In MIR space-flight electrostimulation experiments, nutrient element absorption increased to an optimal level, rhizosphere physiologically active substance ratios were normalized, and leaf chlorophyll, carotin, and ascorbic acid contents corresponded to ground-based control.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "No quantitative exposure parameters for the electric field are provided (e.g., field strength, waveform, frequency).",
    "No sample size or details of experimental design (e.g., controls, randomization) are reported in the abstract.",
    "Outcomes are described qualitatively without statistical results."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electric field",
    "electrostimulation",
    "plants",
    "root cells",
    "plasmalemma",
    "biomembranes",
    "proton barrier",
    "microgravity",
    "space flight",
    "MIR",
    "nutrient absorption",
    "chlorophyll",
    "ascorbic acid"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2004.02.011
PubMed: 15880892

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