Speaker
Description
Plants respond to various physical stimuli, including environmental and mechanical stimuli, but their responses to an electric field are not well understood. Most studies have focused either on electrotropism, the directional growth of roots under an applied electric field, or on plant growth enhancement resulting from electric field exposure. However, the underlying mechanisms of plant responses to an electric field are still unclear. Calcium (Ca²⁺) is an important secondary messenger in plants, key mediator of long-distance signalling and has been correlated with electrical signals in plants. Therefore, correlation of electric field and Ca2+ signalling can provide insights on plant responses. Ca²⁺ signals can be monitored in vivo using GCaMPs, genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs), that rely on enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP). In GCaMP-expressing plants, fluctuations in cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentrations correspond to changes in fluorescence intensity, allowing real-time visualization of Ca²⁺ signals. In this study, we investigate Ca²⁺ signalling dynamics in GCaMP3 Arabidopsis thaliana in response to electrical stimulation. Preliminary results indicate a clear Ca²⁺ response to the applied field, accompanied by clear propagation of the signal in the root. These initial findings provide new insights and a deeper understanding into the response of plants to an electric field.
