Development of a Low Complexity System to Measure Electrical Signals in Plants

Mirella M. de O. Carneiro; Milena F. Pinto; Aline G. Manhães; Mauro S. dos Reis

doi:10.20906/sbai.v1i1.2559

Mirella M. de O. Carneiro Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca, RJ
Milena F. Pinto Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca, RJ
Aline G. Manhães Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca, RJ
Mauro S. dos Reis Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca, RJ

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20906/sbai.v1i1.2559

Keywords: Electrical Signals, Plant Electrophysiology, Response to Stimuli, Electronic Instrumentation

Abstract

Electrical signals are generated and transmitted through plants in response to stimuli caused by factors localized in the external environment. Furthermore, these signals allow the whole plant structure to be informed almost instantly. By analyzing the electrical responses of a specific plant, it is possible to describe the impact of external aspects, such as insect infestation and light quality, in the plasma membrane potential, and identify the electrical signal origin. This project presents useful digital filters and a system consisting of a signal conditioning circuit and another one for measuring environmental parameters. Besides, they can be applied to signals of various plants types. The environmental parameters acquiring circuit consists in using a microcontroller alongside five sensors, which have unique functions. These aspects have got to be measured since they may interfere with the plant's electrical response.