Impact of environmental stimuli on electrical responses in plants

Research in our group has begun to show that plants generate and use electrical signals to control functions within their
structure. When external stimuli are applied to a plant, different electrical signals are generated. These electrical signals contain
information both about the stimuli but also how the plant reacts to this stimuli. This research project’s goal is to measure these
electrical signals under different stimuli, and attempt to interpret and understand how these signals are generated and how the
plant uses these signals. Our earlier research has developed equipment and computer monitoring systems for these plant
electrical signals. These signals are recorded with custom built electrodes and the signals are decoded to predict the type of
stimuli that was presented to the plant. Our research will assess the electrical signal with two different plant species and
compare the results under different environmental stimuli. This research will allow us to begin to understand how these
electrical signals can be used by researchers to understand the inner workings of plants.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Lefsrud

Student:

Partner:

Electric Plant

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture and Food; Energy and Utilities; Other

University:

McGill University

Program: