Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Since plants can produce ATP as an energy source during the day or night, electroculture systems can
be run 24 hours a day for a maximum speed advantage. During the day, energy in the form of ATP is
created via photosynthesis and stored in sugar molecules. At night, via the process of respiration, ATP
is produced when energy is released from sugar.
Yet, while it's possible that these systems can be run all the time, it may not be the best course of action
over the long term. Since normally only a small portion of the light energy from photosynthesis goes
towardscreatingsugarstobeusedatnight,itisfeasiblethatthesystemcaneventuallyrunoutofenergy
stores. Stimulated plants work somewhat differently. They increase their light-capturing efficiencies by
becoming a darker green in color, which has the effect of increasing their stores beyond normal.
Since it's possible that certain plants may not respond with the extra-greening response, it should be
notedthatifaplantunderstimulationdoesn'tgetdarkerincolorovertime,thenitmaybebesttodesign
yourelectroculturesystemstooperatemoreduringthedaytimecomparedtothenighttominimizestress
from energy-depletion.
As shown above, metabolic acceleration can have secondary effects that can affect many
parts of the plant's physiology. Here are the systems that can be affected:
• Whole plant growth and regeneration
• Growth and regeneration of tissue cultures
• Generation of chlorophyll and chloroplasts
• Synthesis of sugars, proteins and hormones
• Plant respiration and transpiration processes
Growth Hormones
Hormone synthesis is another major factor that can be affected by the ways that genes
express themselves. For those unfamiliar with the function of hormones, they are
essentially chemicals that promote and influence cell growth, tissue growth and
differentiation
. Vital to plant growth, they regulate which tissues grow and when, affecting
leaves, stems, fruits and other organs. It is also well established that plant hormones play
an essential role in the regulation of signaling pathways. These pathways, on which the
aforementioned electrical and electrochemical signals move, are involved in the triggering
of plant stress responses.
Electro-Horticulture follows organic practices, enabling growth hormone-based improvements to occur
biologically, rather than through the use of artificially produced chemicals.
