Effect of electricity on Allium

cepa germination

Biology Internal Assessment

I. INTRODUCTION

Based on past experiences, growing plants has never been as easy as it seems to be. I
have always avoided growing plants, as it seems very sensitive to the environment, and it
would always take a long time to grow. However, I came across an article which claims that
plants seem to be “healthier” in the fields after a rainstorm occurs, which might suggest the
effect electricity has on plant germination. This article piqued my interest and had me
wondering if I could grow plants in an easier or quicker manner, and whether electricity can
be a form of an alternative to growing plants. After digging deeper, theories state that “brief
exposure of seeds to electric current ends their dormancy, accelerates development
throughout the period of vegetation, and ultimately increases yields. The metabolism of
seedlings is stimulated, as respiration and hydrolytic enzyme activity is intensified for many
types of plants.” (Artem, 2012) With this, I am determined in finding out whether electrical
charges and plants have a causal relationship, or just mere correlation. To do so, observing
the roots of the Allium cepa would be a good indicator of this, since the voltage of electrical
charges is predicted to have a direct effect on plant germination, which can be seen from the
roots of the plant. Adding to that, Allium cepa is said to be easy/fast to grow, which is why it
would make a good subject for the experiment. I can also relate this exploration with the
current situations of our world, which I think should be more focused on as it may be
concerning. As the world population grows before our eyes, industries are advancing to
adapt to the current conditions of our ever-growing society. It is logical to think that we need
to increase our food supply fast to adapt to these changes, and we need to provide new
alternatives to produce more food in a faster pace. This information could also be related to
the economical conditions, and how faster-growing plants could help the economy in
producing and ultimately, improving the country’s GDP rate.

II. RESEARCH QUESTION

How would different charges of electricity (0V, 7.5V, 13.8V) affect the germination of Allium
cepa during a 10-day time span?

III. HYPOTHESIS

If the electric charge increases, then the plant will germinate faster. The plant with the
electric charge of 13.8V will yield the fastest-growing plant, as researchers in electro-culture
have found evidences that plant cells' sensitivity to electric currents can be exploited to
enhance their growth. (NY Times, 2016) With this, the metabolism of the seeds would be
stimulated, along with intensified respiration and enzymatic activities, as mentioned in the
introduction. However, there has not been any official/popularized scientific reasons of why
this might be, and this exploration hypothesizes that there wouldn’t be significant differences
in the data, and the null hypothesis would be accepted. The null hypothesis of this
exploration would be that there is no significance between electrical charges and Allium
cepa rate of germination.

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IV. VARIABLES

Independent variables

Voltage of electrical charge — 0V, 7.5V, 13.8V

I will charge copper strips using crocodile clips that will be placed inside the soil every 5
minutes a day for each of the different voltages. Changing this variable would affect the
germination of plants, as the metabolism of seedlings would be stimulated. I have chosen
the values of 0V, 7.5V, 13.8V for the electrical charges, as these represent the lowest,
highest and the mid value that I could obtain using a power source to promote enough
variation to the significant differences between the chosen voltages. These also represent
safe values to work with.

Dependent variable

Allium cepa germination — the length of roots that germinates during 10 days (cm)

This will be determined by comparing the length of the roots that has been grown during a
10-day time span, with 48-hour intervals of checking the plant growth, using an alarm clock
as the method of control. Results will be analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) to
further determine whether the datas are significantly different. The length of roots would be a
good indicator as the result of the independent variable (voltage of electric charge), since the
electrical charges would have a direct effect to plant growth, and germination is usually
indicated by the growth of roots in a plant. Therefore, by measuring the length of Allium cepa
roots, we would be able to indicate the effects of the electrical charges on plant germination.

Controlled variables

Controlled Method of control Reason of control

variable
Time span of Experiments are conducted only for
the 10 days with 48-hour intervals of
experiment checking the progress. This can be
done by using an alarm clock to
mark the start and end of the
experiment.
Type of plant Using Allium cepa (onions) as the
subject of experiment.
Technique for Charge the plants for 5 minutes
charging everyday for each variable
plants (voltage) using crocodile clips,
copper strips and the same power
supply.
Temperature Placing plants in the same location
conditions of (laboratory) that would give the
plant growth same amount of light, temperature
and other conditions that might
affect the germination.
Conditions should be kept constant
to be able to examine the effects of
the different voltages on the
germination for the same amount of
time.
Allium cepa is the dependent
variable, and should be used for
every trial of the experiment.
Every plant should be charged the
same amount of voltage and
undergo the same procedures to
examine the effects under the same
conditions.
Conditions should be kept constant
to be able to examine the effects of
the different voltages on the
germination in the same
temperatures.
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Tools for Using only 1 ruler to measure all Different tools may have different
measurement the progress, so that errors and uncertainties, and this may affect the
discrepancies are equally the same end result of the experiment.
for each trials/variable.
Time intervals Using alarm/clock to set a 24-hour Conditions should be kept constant
interval between watering the to maintain consistency of the
plants, charging the plants and 48- experiment. Keeping this variable
hour intervals to check on the controlled would make sure the
plants. plants grow in ideal conditions.
Amount of Using the same 10 ml graduated This will maintain consistency in the
water cylinder to measure 10 ml of water procedures and also make sure the
for watering the plants every once plants grow in ideal conditions.
a day.

These variables should be kept constant all throughout the experiment, since a minor
change in these aspects would have a range of effects on the results. It would also affect the
consistency of the conditions during the experiment, and this is essential in determining the
accurate effects of different electric voltages on the germination of Allium cepa.

V. MATERIALS

• Soil (15 x 10 g)
• Allium cepa or onions (3 x 5 pcs)
• Distilled water (10 x 150 ml)

VI. EQUIPMENT/TOOLS

• Plastic cups (3 x 5 pcs) • 10 ml graduated cylinder ±0.2 (1 pc)
• Copper strips (10 x 2 pcs) • Electric tape (1 pc)
• 30 cm ruler ±0.05 (1 pc) • Cutter (1 pc)
• Power supply ±0.75V (2 pcs) • Trash bag (1 pc)

• A pair of crocodile clips (2 pcs)

VII.METHOD/PROCEDURE

For controlled trials:

1. Fill 1/6 of the cup with soil.
2. Place the Allium cepa in the soil.
3. Fill the the cup with more soil until it fills 1/2 of the cup.

4. Measure 10 ml of distilled water in a 10 ml graduated cylinder (±0.2).

5. Water the plants with 10 ml of distilled water once a day, every 12 pm.
6. Check plant growth by measuring roots of Allium cepa using a 30cm ruler (±0.05).

7. Record data into a table every 24-hour interval for 10 days, every 3 pm.

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For electrically-charged trials:
Part 1: Preparation
1. Cut two 2.5 cm slices on opposing sides on the bottom of
the plastic cups.
2. Bend 1/8 of the copper strips.
3. Cover the bended area of the copper strips with electric
tape.
4. Slide two strips in the slices that has been cut, leaving
1/8 of the strip outside the cup.
5. Fill 1/6 of the cup with soil.
6. Place the Allium cepa in the soil.
7. Fill the the cup with more soil until it fills 1/2 of the cup.

Part 2: Germination
8. Measure 10 ml of distilled water in a 10 ml graduated
cylinder (±0.2).
9. Water the plants with 10 ml of distilled water once a
day, every 12 pm.
10. Connect the crocodile clips to the exposed copper
strips on the bottom of the cup and the power supply
(±0.75V) of a voltage of 7.5V.
11. Charge plants once a day for 5 minutes with 24-hour intervals.
12. Use a stopwatch to keep track of time.
13. After 5 minutes, disconnect the crocodile
clips and repeat steps 10-12 for other plants
of the same voltage.
14. Check plant growth by measuring roots of
Allium cepa using a 30cm ruler (±0.05).
15. Record data into a table every 24-hour
interval for 10 days, every 3 pm.
16. After charging all plants for 7.5V, repeat
steps 10-15 for the plants of 13.8V.

VIII. SAFETY

As this experiment focuses on electro-culture, we must not forget the possible

hazards of electrocution from the power source. Although only “voltages over 50 volts AC or
120 volts DC are considered hazardous,” (Healthy working lives, 2016) it would still be ideal
to prevent electrocutions from happening throughout the processes. Aside from that, “faulty
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electrical appliances can also lead to fires, which causes injuries and loss of life, damage to
plants, equipment and property.” (Healthy working lives, 2016) Therefore, to prevent
dangerous scenarios from happening, we must first appraise the equipment to make sure
that it is in good and safe conditions to work with, and avoid overloading socket outlets, as
these could lead to fires.

Proper disposal will also be needed for environmental purposes. There might be a
chance that the onions used for the experiment are wild onions. These are onions that are
“very invasive, as they reproduce themselves prolifically from underground bulbs and also
from seeds that are set from their blossoms. If a wild onion plant is allowed to blossom, it will
produce dozens of seeds that can grow into many more plants to infest other
plants.” (McGroarty, 2015) Therefore, a proper disposal for the subject of the experiment is
needed. The disposal procedure includes placing all the Allium cepa plants used in a plastic
trash bag and securing the trash bag by cinching it, so that no parts of the plant poke
through. This would prevent any type of wild plants to inhibit other plants to grow. 


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IX. DATA

Results for Allium cepa germination in cm

Trials

0V

Days 1 2 3 4 5

2 1.2 0.1 0 1.7 0.5

4 3.2 0.1 0 4.3 0.5

6 6.3 0.1 0.6 7.5 0.5

8 9.0 0.1 0.7 8.5 1

10 10 0.1 1.4 11.2 1.2

7.5V

Days 1 2 3 4 5

2 1.5 1.3 0.5 0 0

4 3.5 3.2 0.5 2 0

6 8.3 5.6 0.5 2 0

8 11.3 7.2 0.5 2 0

10 11.8 9.2 0.5 3.8 1.3

13.8V

Days 1 2 3 4 5

2 1.8 1.3 0.4 0 0

4 3.8 1.3 2.2 1.5 0

6 7.4 1.3 5.8 2.2 0

8 8.5 2.2 8.5 3.2 0

10 9.3 2.5 11.7 8.7 0

The table above shows the Allium cepa plants’ progress of germination during a 10-day
timespan with 2-day intervals through a 5 independent variable value x 5 repeats format.
The values shown in centimeters show how much the plant grew on their corresponding
checkpoints (days) seen in the far left column. Just from looking at the data, the table shows
that some plants grew faster than others and the trend of the results might not seem too
conclusive. These results of the germination is further analyzed and interpreted in the
analysis section below, and can also be seen in appendices B, C and D.


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X. ANALYSIS

Figure 1

0V
7.5 V
13.8 V Average progress of germination (cm)
7 6.44

5.32
4.78
Germination (cm)

5.25 4.48
4.2
3.86
3.34
3.28
3.5 3

1.84
1.76
1.62
1.75
0.7
0.66

0
2 4 6 8 10
Time (days)

Figure 1 shows the average progress of germination that the plants underwent during
the 2-day intervals of the 10-day timespan of the experiment. This tells exactly how much
the plant has grown on the time of observations, for example, the Allium cepa that has been
charged by 0V has grown 3 cm on a 6-day time span. With this, it is seen that the lowest
average germination came from the plants which were not charged (0V) with 4.78 cm on the
last day of the experiment, meanwhile the highest and most effective results came from the
plants that grew under the charges of 13.8V, which indicates that they grew 6.44 cm during a
10-day timespan. From the progress itself, it could already be seen the effects of different
voltages on Allium cepa germination, as the higher voltages would yield faster germination,
as seen in the figure above. The plants of higher voltages were able to grow longer in a 10-
day time span when compared to the plants charged with lower voltages. From this data,
this exploration was able to deduce that electrical charges and Allium cepa germination has
a positive correlation, specifically a positive linear relationship, as can be seen in the figure
above, which means that as voltages increase, the rate of germination increases
consequently. 


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Table 1

Source SS df MS F ratio p Value

Between 0.762 2 0.381 F= 0.04268 p= 0.958363

treatments
Within- 107.1208 12 8.9267
treatments
Total 107.8828 14

To test these results further, the analysis of variance, also known as ANOVA is
adopted for the certainty of this exploration. This method is used to “determine whether there
are any statistically significant differences between the means of three or more independent
(unrelated) groups.” (Laerd Statistics, 2017) Therefore, with the use of ANOVA, this
exploration is able to deduce specifically whether the data are significantly different to each
other, and whether the null hypothesis should be either accepted or rejected.
Even though the trends seen above may prove a point that there is a positive/upward
linear trend between electric charges and plant germination, the ANOVA proves otherwise.
By plotting in the average data of each trials as seen in appendix C & D in the ANOVA
calculator, this exploration was able to come up with the f-ratio and the p value, which would
indicate the significance of the data. Based on the analysis above, the f-ratio value is
0.04268 and the p-value is 0.958363, which indicates that the result is not significant at
p<0.05. Since it is found that the data is not significant as the p value is more than its critical
value (0.05), this means that the data provide little or no evidence that the null hypothesis is
false. (Lane, 2017) This statistical analysis shows that even though the trends and results
above show that there is a linear trend, the datas are found to be insignificantly different.
Hence, the null hypothesis is true and accepted.
Similar to this exploration, other research papers, such as Finnish scientist Selim
Laemstrom's also found the positive correlation between the two variables. “He found that
the electrical discharge from wire points stimulated the growth of crops such as potatoes,
carrots, and celery for an average increase of about 40% (up to 70%) within 8 weeks.
However, crops of cabbage, turnips, and flax grew better without electrification than with it,
where the voltage applied to the antenna varies from 2 to 70 KV.” (Artem, 2012) On the
contrary, some researches also stated that “for some unknown reason, the effects of
Electrogenic treatment apparently do not travel well.” (Nelson, 2007) So, the electric currents
would be hindered through the soil as research states that electrical currents do not travel
well in soil, which consequently wouldn’t reach the Allium cepa plant effectively. Given that,
this exploration is able to deduce reasons of why the data of the experiment did not come up
as significantly different from each other.
Researches such as the one above shows that electricity can be effective for only
certain types of plants, and it has not been proven yet whether electricity would affect Allium
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cepa germination significantly or not. This can be driven by the fact that “crops of cabbage,
turnips, and flax grew better without electrification than with it,” (Artem, 2012) and this
implies that onions or Allium cepa might be one of the plants which would not grow
effectively under the influence of electrical charges. Another reason is that the voltages
might not be large enough for the plants to grow effectively, as other explorations tests the
significance of electricity on plant germination using large values of voltages, such as 2-70
KV. This might be a very influential factor in determining the significant differences in the
datas, since the larger values of voltages is seen to be effective for the plants that Laestrom
grew. There has also not been any specific research on the optimal electrical charge that
might be most effective for the germination of Allium cepa, and the suggestion of using a
bigger charge may contribute in creating more significant datas.

XI. CONCLUSION

The data above confirms the hypothesis of this exploration that if voltage increases,
then the Allium cepa plant would grow faster. However, it is also found through the analysis
of variance that there is no significant differences between the datas found, which leads to
the accepted null hypothesis of this exploration, as the p value is larger than 0.05. With this
information, the hypothesis of this exploration is proven to be true and correct.

This exploration has come about this conclusion based on the data and trends that
were found when comparing the germination of the plant, which shows that the plants under
the influences of stronger voltages would be able to yield a faster germination throughout a
10-day period; in this case, the 13.8V grew the fastest and 0V grew the slowest, as seen in
figure 1 above. The analysis of variance also contributed in generating the conclusion of this
exploration as it shows that the data has no significant differences, as the the p-value is
0.958363, which indicates that the result is not significant at p<0.05.

Therefore, this exploration has acquired that ultimately, electrical charges have an
effect on the rate of germination of Allium cepa, however the results do not seem to be
significantly different as it differs very minutely from each other. To support this conclusion,
other researches also state that there might be a possibility that electrical currents do not
travel well in soil, and this might be the reason why differences are not seen to be
significant. In addition to that, it is also supported by Laestorm’s past experiments, which he
found that some types of plants do not germinate the fastest under electrical charges.

XII.EVALUATION

The limitations that have been encountered throughout the process is the quality of
the Allium cepa plants that has been used. It would be better if I was able to control the
variable of the exact plants of Allium cepa that would be used for all the trials, however due
to practical reasons, I was not able to provide a very good standard of plants for this
exploration. The effects of this is that some of the plants didn’t germinate as well as others,
and this affects the average results of each of the variables. It is suggested to consult with

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an expert on plants before proceeding the planting process to select the plants/onions that is
guaranteed to be able to grow.
Other than that, it is also advised to grow the plants under extreme electrical
charges, ranging from 2 to 70 KV, as what Laestrom and other scientists did to their
germination experiments to be able to determine the maximal effects of the germination that
would take place. To do this, a high-voltage power supply which charges ranges from 2 to
100 KV would be needed to produce such high electric energies to charge the plants.
However, due to safety reasons and availability of resources, this exploration was not able to
complete the experiment with higher electrical charges, and was only able to determine the
effects of electricity on plant germination through a small scale.
Given the weaknesses above, this exploration also has its set of strengths as it
follows a standard and constant procedure that has been undertaken throughout the 10-day
timespan. This exploration has managed to execute the methods of control for the
experiment and this has impacted the data in a way that it increases the accuracy of the
results. The controlled variables have been carried out very tediously and this represents
one of the strengths of this exploration.


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XIII. REFERENCES

Nelson, R. (2017). Electro-culture (The Electric Tickle). [online] rex research.

Available at: http://www.blog.lege.net/content/
StimulatingPlantGrowthWithElectricityMagnetismSound.pdf [Accessed 24 Nov. 2017].
Frost, J. (2017). Understanding Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the F-test |
Minitab. [online] Blog.minitab.com. Available at: http://blog.minitab.com/blog/adventures-in-
statistics-2/understanding-analysis-of-variance-anova-and-the-f-test [Accessed 24 Nov.
2017].
Lane, D. (2017). Interpreting Non-Significant Results. [online] Onlinestatbook.com.
Available at: http://onlinestatbook.com/2/logic_of_hypothesis_testing/nonsignificant.html
[Accessed 24 Nov. 2017].
McGroarty, M. How to Rid Your Lawn of Wild Garlic or Wild Onions. [online]
Freeplants.com. Available at: http://freeplants.com/get-rid-of-wild-garlic.html [Accessed 1
Feb. 2018]
Artem, B. (2012). THE EFFECT OF ELECTRICITY ON PLANT GROWTH. [online]
Moscow. Available at: http://sch35-2007.narod.ru/itogi_conf_2012/1_Barinov_1535.pdf
[Accessed 24 Nov. 2017].
All-science-fair-projects.com. (2017). Science Fair Projects - Effect of electricity on
plant growth. [online] Available at: http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/
print_project_1434_50 [Accessed 24 Nov. 2017].
Invasive Species Council of BC. (2017) Fall Garden Clean-Up: Proper Disposal of
Invasive Plants. [online] Available at: https://bcinvasives.ca/news-events/media/articles/fall-
garden-clean-up-proper-disposal-of-invasive-plants [Accessed 1 Feb. 2018]
Nytimes.com. (2017). ELECTRICITY MAY PLAY ROLE IN PLANT GROWTH.
[online] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/09/science/electricity-may-play-role-in-
plant-growth.html [Accessed 24 Nov. 2017].


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XIV.APPENDICES

A. Experimental data

Top view of trials 1,2,3,4 & 5 (respectively)

for Allium cepa under 0V electrical charge.

Top view of trials 1,2,3,4 & 5 (respectively)

for Allium cepa under 7.5V electrical

charge.

Top view of trials 1,2,3,4 & 5 (respectively)

for Allium cepa under 13.8V electrical

charge.


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 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5
0V

7.5V

13.8V

View of roots (germination) from all trials of germination of Allium cepa on the last day of the

exploration (10th day).


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B. Data for figure 1

Results for Allium cepa germination in cm-1-1

0V

Days 1 2 3 4 5 Total Average

2 1.2 0.1 0 1.7 0.5 3.5 0.7

4 3.2 0.1 0 4.3 0.5 8.1 1.62

6 6.3 0.1 0.6 7.5 0.5 15 3

8 9.0 0.1 0.7 8.5 1 19.3 3.86

10 10 0.1 1.4 11.2 1.2 23.9 4.78

7.5V

Days 1 2 3 4 5 Total Average

2 1.5 1.3 0.5 0 0 3.3 0.66

4 3.5 3.2 0.5 2 0 9.2 1.84

6 8.3 5.6 0.5 2 0 16.4 3.28

8 11.3 7.2 0.5 2 0 21 4.2

10 11.8 9.2 0.5 3.8 1.3 26.6 5.32

13.8V

Days 1 2 3 4 5 Total Average

2 1.8 1.3 0.4 0 0 3.5 0.7

4 3.8 1.3 2.2 1.5 0 8.8 1.76

6 7.4 1.3 5.8 2.2 0 16.7 3.34

8 8.5 2.2 8.5 3.2 0 22.4 4.48

10 9.3 2.5 11.7 8.7 0 32.2 6.44

Processed data to show linear trend between the variables.


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C. Data for table 1 (ANOVA)

Results for Allium cepa germination in cm-1

0V

Days 1 2 3 4 5

2 1.2 0.1 0 1.7 0.5

4 3.2 0.1 0 4.3 0.5

6 6.3 0.1 0.6 7.5 0.5

8 9.0 0.1 0.7 8.5 1

10 10 0.1 1.4 11.2 1.2

Total 29.7 0.6 2.7 33.2 3.7

Average 5.94 0.1 0.54 6.64 0.74

7.5V

Days 1 2 3 4 5

2 1.5 1.3 0.5 0 0

4 3.5 3.2 0.5 2 0

6 8.3 5.6 0.5 2 0

8 11.3 7.2 0.5 2 0

10 11.8 9.2 0.5 3.8 1.3

Total 36.4 26.5 2.5 9.8 1.3

Average 7.28 5.3 0.5 1.96 0.26

13.8V

Days 1 2 3 4 5

2 1.8 1.3 0.4 0 0

4 3.8 1.3 2.2 1.5 0

6 7.4 1.3 5.8 2.2 0

8 8.5 2.2 8.5 3.2 0

10 9.3 2.5 11.7 8.7 0

Total 30.8 8.6 28.6 15.6 0

Average 6.16 1.72 5.72 3.12 0

Processed data for ANOVA calculations.


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D. Calculations for ANOVA

Inputted data in the ANOVA calculator, and the results that are obtained from the website.

Accessed at: http://www.socscistatistics.com/tests/anova/default2.Aspx

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