Relationship between Growth and Electric Oscillations in Bean Roots

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Abstract
Extracellular and intracellular electric potentials in bean roots are known to show electric oscillation along the longitudinal axis with a period of several minutes. The relationship between growth and the electric oscillations was studied using roots of adzuki (Phaseolus chrysanthos). We measured surface electric potentials with a multielectrode apparatus while simultaneously measuring elongation using a CCD camera and monitor. Roots having an electric oscillation grew faster than roots with no oscillation. Futhermore, elongation rate was higher in roots with higher oscillation frequency. Oscillation frequency had a strong dependence on temperature; i.e. Q10 was estimated at 1.7. These results suggest a correlation between electric oscillation and elongation.