Inhibition of root elongation in microgravity by an applied electric field.

Journal of plant research · 1999 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4033

Roots grown in microgravity had higher growth rates than ground controls. Immediately upon application of an applied electric field, root elongation was inhibited in microgravity-grown roots.

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of plant research · 1999

Study typeother

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Roots grown in an applied electric field demonstrate a bidirectional curvature. To further understand the nature of this response and its implications for the regulation of differential growth, we applied an electric field to roots growing in microgravity. We found that growth rates of roots in microgravity were higher than growth rates of ground controls. Immediately upon application of the electric field, root elongation was inhibited. We interpret this result as an indication that, in the absence of a gravity stimulus, the sensitivity of the root to an applied electric stimulus is increased. Further space experiments are required to determine the extent to which this sensitivity is shifted. The implications of this result are discussed in relation to gravitropic signaling and the regulation of differential cell elongation in the root.

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 typeother

Effect directionharm

Populationplant roots grown in microgravity and ground controls

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Roots grown in microgravity had higher growth rates than ground controls. Immediately upon application of an applied electric field, root elongation was inhibited in microgravity-grown roots.

Outcomes measured

root elongation (growth rate)
root curvature (bidirectional curvature)

Limitations

No exposure parameters reported (e.g., field strength, frequency, duration).
Sample size and species/model details not provided in the abstract.
Authors note further space experiments are required to determine the extent of sensitivity shift.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "applied electric field",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "plant roots grown in microgravity and ground controls",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "root elongation (growth rate)",
    "root curvature (bidirectional curvature)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Roots grown in microgravity had higher growth rates than ground controls. Immediately upon application of an applied electric field, root elongation was inhibited in microgravity-grown roots.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "No exposure parameters reported (e.g., field strength, frequency, duration).",
    "Sample size and species/model details not provided in the abstract.",
    "Authors note further space experiments are required to determine the extent of sensitivity shift."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electric field",
    "microgravity",
    "root elongation",
    "growth inhibition",
    "gravitropism",
    "differential cell elongation",
    "root curvature"
  ],
  "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: 10.1007/pl00013905
PubMed: 11543178

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