Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
and out-of cellular structures by manipulating the charge of various gateways within the
cell-wall. Electricity is an intrinsic part of life.
Consider how life responds to electrical energy. Modern medicine uses electricity in many
different ways, from helping wounds heal faster to jump-starting a heart. In the plant
world, there is a growing body of research that suggests that plants respond favorably to
the high-voltage static electric fields that are generated by thunderstorms. Other studies
show that under the influence of an electrical field, seeds may experience both an increase
in fertility and improved disease resistance response, ultimately resulting in an increased
germination rate.
In fact, a number of electrical systems are a part of the Earth itself. These range from
the
Van Allen radiation belts
that protect the planet from cosmic radiation, to the energy
containedinlightningstorms,tothenaturalgeomagnetismthatinfluencesournavigational
compasses. Natural electric currents called telluric currents even move through the crust
of the earth, playing a part in all of life that we don't fully understand. In many ways,
electrical energy plays a planetary-wide role that promotes and supports life itself.
Given this understanding of electricity as an intrinsically benevolent part of life, what do
you think would happen if electricity was applied in an engineered manner? Can we do
better?
Boosted Development with Electricity
Scientists for as long as 200 years have observed amazing results in boosting healthy
plant growth and deterring disease by directly applying various forms of electricity to soil.
Knownmostcommonlyaselectroculture,thesemethodsarethesubjectofthis topic. Other
terms describing the use of electricity to help plants grow include electro-horticulture,
electro-therapy, and the plant electro-physiology.
In this topic you will learn how to access the electricity's power of improving plant growth
by exploring the following:
• Many validating experiments, both old and new.
• Scientific background material needed to more fully understand the processes
involved.
• The effects of electro-tropism on plants, soils and bacteria.
• Experiments youcan trytofurther yourknowledge andcontribute via the building
up of global knowledge available on the subject.
