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Electrotropism:

Root and Shoot Growth
The effects of electrotropism on plant growth can be witnessed in the grape “Uslu”. An electric field has similar forces as a magnetic field. A magnetic field can be created by using an alternating electric field. Thus, a magnetic field may have similar effects on plants as an electric field used in electrotropism. A study used a Helmholtz coil with electricity to induce a magnetic field around scions of Uslu grape. It is suggested that magnetic field intensity and duration can influence the root and shoot growth of Uslu grape scions. In the specific study, the application of 0.15 mT at 50 Hz for 10 and 15 minutes gave rise to the highest shoot length and plant weight. The mechanism of how a magnetic field induced by electricity can cause plant growth is yet unknown.

Further, it is known that plant shoot length is controlled by an increase in the hormone auxin. Auxin signals the apical buds at the apex of the plant stem to start elongating upwards. There may be a connection between electric fields and the release or production of auxin in increasing elongation of the shoot.

Root Directional Growth
Electric fields may also dictate the direction of plant root growth. In one study, an electric field applied to the Vigna mungo root, which caused the Central Elongation Zone (CEZ) to move toward the anode; however, the Distal Elongation Zone (DEZ) of the root moved toward the cathode of the field. This type of movement results in a curvature of the root. This result stays consistent when the electric field is applied locally to either the CEZ or DEZ individually, showing that it is not an overall gravitropic response. Although the mechanism of root electrotropism is not known, it is clear that different root regions have different behaviors in response to electricity.

Root Morphological Change
One study suggests that when a weak DC electric field is applied to the roots of the plant Arundo donax, there are morphological changes in the roots. An electric field of 12.0 V/m with a current of 10 mA was applied to the test plants. The treated samples had root hairs that were oversized compared to the control. Specifically, roots had larger diameters, more branching, and longer lengths. The test group's root hairs were also notably longer than the control group's root hairs. This could mean that the plant treated with an electric field is able to uptake water and nutrients differently, leading to differential plant growth in electric field conditions. The authors suggest that larger root hairs may enable better carbon dioxide release in the roots and increase the rate of cation exchange from soil particles.