Electrical control of the growth of plant roots showing self-organized structures

在本研究中，我们以Azukia angularis为材料，研究了Azukia angularis生长与电现象之间的关系。本文的目的是了解在电控制下生长的基本现象，并阐明多细胞系统中离子通道和离子泵构建自组织结构的机制。得到以下结果：1)利用多电极测量系统，发现根周围表面附近的电位振荡具有一致性。振动频率越高，根的生长越大。2)从根部到根部的方向施加直流电场，生长速度变快。电场的反向使生长速度降低。3)在直流电场的横向作用下，根向正极一侧弯曲。弯曲倾向随电场的增大而增大。这些事实表明，通过改变植物自身所产生的电化学环境，用电方法控制生长是可能的。

In this work, using adzuki been (Azukia angularis), we studied the relationship between the growth and the electric phenomenon. The present purposes are to understand basic phenomena about the growth under the electrical control, and to make clear the mechanism of the self-organized structure constructed from ion channels and pumps in the multi-cellular system. The following results were obtained :1) Using the multi-electrode measuring system, it was found that the oscillation of electric potential near the surface around the root appears coherent. The root growth is larger with the higher-frequency oscillation.2) The growth speed becomes higher by applying the DC electric field in the direction from the base to the top of the root. The reverse of the electric field makes the growth speed lower.3) The root bends to the side of the positive electrode with application of the DC electric field in the transverse direction. The bending tendency increases with increasing the electric field.These facts show that the growth control by the electric method may be possible by changing the electrochemical environment made by a plant itself.