The Effects of Electroculture on Plants - Electro-Horticulture - page 97

Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis, the mechanism that gives plants the ability to convert light into sugars
and other compounds necessary for the creation of energy, is another process that deserves
attention. One of the most readily observable results that can be seen after just a few
weeks of stimulation is the greening of leaves. Many experimenters have shown how
electrically-stimulated plants develop leaves that are thick, lush and dark green.
Diving in, a number of studies suggest that the activation of different hormones may
affect the chlorophyll content of leaves as well as their pigmentation. Depending upon the
environmental stimulus acting upon the plant, it is known that certain pigments present
in chloroplasts may become active in such a way that they can cause the synthesis of
additional quantities of themselves resulting in the absorption of greater amounts of light.
Since an increase in the cellular respiration rate increases the amount of available carbon
dioxide, when combined with an increase in light absorption, this has the net effect of
increased sugar formation. This eventually results in an increase in ATP.
According to Goldsworthy 22 , because calcium acts as the “master volume control” that
regulates many aspects of a plant's metabolism, he posited that calcium inflow can also
have an effect on chlorophyll synthesis. Under these circumstances, because the plant's
metabolism has moved to a “higher gear”, it makes sense that the energy generation of the
plantwouldadapttothechangingenvironmentalconditionstomakesurethatenoughfood/
energy is being produced.
Flowering
A lesser-known fact is that electrical stimuli can affect flowering activities in plants. For
instance, in the case studies mentioned in the topic Electroculture by Justin Christofleau 23 ,
it was observed that under electrostimulation, the number and size of flower blooms were
increased, their perfume was more pronounced, and of course, their foliage was much
greener. More than 80 years later, researchers have validated many of these findings, e.g.
determining that yield increases 24 are due to improved flowering.
Since plant genetics and enzymatic regulation are also affected, the “Spring switch” that
enables springtime flowering 25 can possibly be manipulated to occur earlier in the season
when under electrical stimulation. This may yet be another reason for the reports of
accelerated growth and earlier harvests.