Some observations of the effects of applied magnetic fields on growth of Avena coleoptiles. [Avena sativa cv. Garry]

Conference · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Plant Physiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5381567

Brown, D S; Gretz, M; Brown, Jr, R M

Applied magnetic fields (5000-18,000 Gauss) disrupt the pattern of cellulose microfibril deposition in cells of Avena sativa cv. Garry coleoptiles. Freeze fracture reveals the microfibrils of the innermost wall layers to be randomly oriented, rather than parallel and transverse to the elongation axis as seen in control plants. Whole plants exposed to the magnetic field at any field intensity tested (5000-18,000 Gauss) displayed inhibited elongation growth. After two hours in a 5000 G field, plants show some recovery of elongation growth while maintained in the field, with elongation rates of 0.2 + 0.06 mm/hr as compared to control plants with 0.9 + 0.12 mm/hr elongation. Avena seeds which were germinated directly between pole pieces of a 5000 Gauss magnet produced slow-growing seedlings whose roots and coleoptiles grew toward opposite magnetic poles. Audus (1960) coined the phrase magnetotropism to describe a similar phenomenon in pollen tubes growing in magnetic fields.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas, Austin
• OSTI ID: 5381567
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Plant Physiol.; (United States) Journal Volume: 80:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
GRASS
GROWTH
INHIBITION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
RECOVERY
SEEDLINGS