Loaded defence
Using an electric current to prevent infections. It sounds strange, but that it works show researchers from England in Scientific Reports.
There is not much that works against infections of Phytophthora palmivora, an oomycete pathogen. But so discovered the researchers, when exposed to an electric field the oomycete swim towards the positive electrode to germinate. This may be a way to prevent plants against Phytophthora palmivora infections.
Plant roots naturally have a verry weak electric field. The tip of the root is slightly negative charged and the elongation zone, there were the cells stretch themselves, is slightly positively charged. But, exposure of tale cress and Medicago truncatula roots to a weak electric field did not influence their growth. But it did influence Phytophthora palmivora, those the researchers found less often on the roots.
An electric field protects plants against Phytophthora palmivora
The researchers have two theories of how an electric field prevents Phytophthora palmivora from colonising the roots. The first hypothesis is that the electric field from the roots loses the competition for Phytophthora palmivora from the artificial electric field. The artificial electric field lures Phytophthora palmivora away from the root. The second hypothesis is that the artificial electric field repels Phytophthora palmivora, keeping it away from the roots.
So it is possible toe protect plants using a weak electric field. The question remaining: what it’s the effect of the electric field on the rest of the microbiome of the plant. These consist mainly out of good natured and beneficial bacteria and fungi, who contribute to the growth and protection of the plant. When those are also repelled or lured away it may influence plant growth negatively.
Literature
Moratto, E., Tang, Z., Bozkurt, T.O. et al. Reduction of Phytophthora palmivora plant root infection in weak electric fields. Sci Rep14, 19993 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68730-y
Plant en Zo 