Effect of artificial electric fields on plants grown under microgravity conditions.

Advances in space research : the official journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) · 2001 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 3919

Study snapshot

PublicationAdvances in space research : the official journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) · 2001

Study typereview

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Ionic and structural hetorogeneity of cells, tissues, and organs of plants are associated with a spectrum of electric characteristics such as bioelectric potentials, electrical conductance, and bioelectric permeability. An important determinant for the plant function is electric properties of the cell membranes and organelles which maintain energy and substance exchange with the environment. Enzymes and other biologically active substances have a powerful charge at the molecular level. Finally, all molecules, including those of water, represent dipoles, and this determines their reactive capacity. A major determinant is the bioelectric polarity of a plant is genetically predetermined and cannot be modified. It is an intrinsic structural feature of the organism whose evolution advent was mediated by gravity. An illustrative presentation of polarity is the downward growth of the roots and upward growth of stems in the Earth's gravitation field. However, gravity is a critical, but not the sole determinant of the plant organism polarization. Potent polarizing effects are exerted by light, the electromagnetic field, moisture, and other factors. It is known that plant cultivation in an upturned position is associated with impairment of water and nutrient uptake, resulting in dyscoordination of physiological processes, growth and developmental retardation. These abnormalities were characteristic when early attempts were made to grow plants in weightlessness conditions.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 typereview

Effect directionunclear

Populationplants grown under microgravity/weightlessness conditions

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 55% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The abstract discusses that plant polarity is genetically predetermined and not modifiable, but that gravity is not the sole determinant of polarization; light, electromagnetic field, moisture and other factors can exert polarizing effects. It notes that early attempts to grow plants in weightlessness showed abnormalities including impaired water and nutrient uptake, dyscoordination of physiological processes, and growth/developmental retardation.

Outcomes measured

plant bioelectric properties (bioelectric potentials, electrical conductance, bioelectric permeability)
plant polarity (root/stem growth orientation)
water and nutrient uptake
physiological coordination
growth and development

Limitations

No specific artificial electric field parameters (frequency, intensity, exposure duration) are provided in the abstract.
No experimental design details, methods, or quantitative results are described in the abstract.
It is not clear from the abstract whether new experimental data are presented versus background/contextual discussion.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "plants grown under microgravity/weightlessness conditions",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "plant bioelectric properties (bioelectric potentials, electrical conductance, bioelectric permeability)",
    "plant polarity (root/stem growth orientation)",
    "water and nutrient uptake",
    "physiological coordination",
    "growth and development"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The abstract discusses that plant polarity is genetically predetermined and not modifiable, but that gravity is not the sole determinant of polarization; light, electromagnetic field, moisture and other factors can exert polarizing effects. It notes that early attempts to grow plants in weightlessness showed abnormalities including impaired water and nutrient uptake, dyscoordination of physiological processes, and growth/developmental retardation.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No specific artificial electric field parameters (frequency, intensity, exposure duration) are provided in the abstract.",
    "No experimental design details, methods, or quantitative results are described in the abstract.",
    "It is not clear from the abstract whether new experimental data are presented versus background/contextual discussion."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.55,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "plants",
    "microgravity",
    "weightlessness",
    "artificial electric fields",
    "bioelectric potentials",
    "polarity",
    "electromagnetic field"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "microgravity-space-biology",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Focuses on plant growth/polarity under microgravity/weightlessness conditions."
    }
  ]
}

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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/s0273-1177(01)00370-2
PubMed: 11803964

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