Monitoring and analysis of electrical signals in water-stressed plants

Abstract

A multi-channel system was developed for simultaneous monitoring of multiple environmental factors and electrical signals in greenhouse grown cucumber plants. Using this system, electrical signals in response to water stress were recorded in the laboratory and in the greenhouse. Application to the roots of a 30% polyethylene glycol 6000 solution (-0.84 MPa water potential) caused a significant decrease in the amplitude of an electrical signal induced by a dark/light change. The amplitude of the mean value of the signal in the transition from dark to light (40–50 min at dawn) was used to reflect the status of the plant under water stress, at which time the soil water content was reduced to 27%. The system was able to provide a long-term stable tool to measure and analyse changes in electrical signals in plants in response to environmental changes. © 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.