Control of Nicotiana Tabacum Callus Growth by Alternating and Pulsed Electric Field

Abstract

Tobacco callus was subjected to alternating and pulsed electric current of different intensities. The electrically treated callus showed a significant stimulation of growth (50% mass growth percentage) for both wave shapes in the 0.3–1.0 μA current intensity range. Stimulated growth of the treated callus was observed in a given intensity window of the electric current. These results allow us to consider the callus culture as a sensitive system to external weak electric field. We propose that the interaction of the applied electric field with the biological processes at the membrane level (transduction of signals, transport phenomena) determines the stimulation of some metabolic processes.