Electrical Potential in Plants Detached Stalks

Abstract

Some locally grown plants were selected at random for possible measurement of electrical potential, in the stalks and detached stalks, tip-wards. Using zinc and copper electrodes with Multimeter as clip and tap meter, electric potential was measured directly, under ambient conditions, at leaf nodal and inter-nodal points while for short stalks, at spacing of 2cm’s tip wards, for 4 days in the peak tropical summer period of August 2016. The results showed the existence of measurable potential difference or electromotive force in plants stalks and detached stalks that varied towards the tip. It was also observed that the natural electric potential is peculiar to each plant and is independent on environmental temperature or ambient conditions. The results further showed that electric potential within the plant is naturally sustained in the stalk for days until wilting sets in.

Keywords: measurements, electric potential, plants stalks, detached plants stalks and leaves