Electrical Currents at the Leaf Surface ofCommelina communisand their Relationship to Stomatal Activity

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Abstract
A vibrating probe was used to detect and measure electrical currents at the surface of excised leaves and isolated leaf epidermis from Commelina commnunis. Currents of up to 4.0 μA cm−2 moving out from the leaf surface were observed when the stomata were open. When the stomata were almost closed no current was detected and when they were fully closed a small inwardly directed current was observed. There appeared to be a linear relationship between current and stomatal aperture. The current was stimulated by fusicoccin and eliminated by increasing the external pH suggesting that it was brought about by a flow of H+ from the leaf surface.