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Effect of High-voltage Electrostatic Field on Potassium and Phosphate Uptake by Cucumber Plants
1
Key Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology, Ministry of Education, China
2
College of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Corresponding Author:
Meiqing Li,
[email protected]
Volume 1, Issue 1
2025
Received: 01 November 2025
Accepted: 23 February 2026
Published: 11 March 2026
Article Information
Abstract
An individual plant cell functions as a complex dynamic circuit, composed of resistor, capacitor, and inductor networks created by cellular structures and macromolecules. Furthermore, high-voltage electrostatic fields (HVEF) alter its electrical properties and initiate metabolic changes. This study aimed to examine the impact of HVEF on the kinetic properties of potassium (K$^+$) and phosphate (H$_2$PO$_4^-$) absorption by Cucumis sativus L. seedlings, and further probed the regulatory mechanisms by constructing a cell membrane potential model. Experimental findings revealed that HVEF substantially altered the maximum uptake rate ($I_{max}$), half-saturation constant ($K_m$), and minimum critical concentration ($C_{min}$) of K$^+$ and H$_2$PO$_4^-$ absorption in cucumber seedlings. Additionally, the regulatory effects displayed a clear dependence on the intensity of the HVEF. Potassium uptake increased as the intensity rose to 1 kV/cm, before declining between 1 and 2 kV/cm. Likewise, phosphate uptake increased as the intensity reached 0.5 kV/cm, before decreasing between 0.5 and 2 kV/cm. A spherical cell model, based on Poisson's equation, indicated that HVEF caused asymmetric membrane potential shifts (hyperpolarization on the lower hemisphere and depolarization on the upper hemisphere), controlling the opening and closing of ion channels. This research offers a theoretical foundation for the use of HVEF in modulating plant nutrient uptake.
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
Cucumis sativus L.
depolarization
high-voltage electric field
hyperpolarization
ion absorption kinetics
Data Availability Statement
Data will be made available on request.
Funding
This work was supported without any funding.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
AI Use Statement
The authors declare that generative AI was used solely for language translation during the preparation of this manuscript. Specifically, Doubao was used to assist with partial translation from Chinese to English. The authors reviewed and edited all AI-generated content to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency with the intended scientific meaning.
Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Not applicable.
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APA Style
Zhu, J., & Li, M. (2026). Effect of High-voltage Electrostatic Field on Potassium and Phosphate Uptake by Cucumber Plants. Journal of Plant Electrobiology, 1(1), 32–41. https://doi.org/10.62762/JPE.2025.597638
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TY - JOUR
AU - Zhu, Jianyun
AU - Li, Meiqing
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/03/11
TI - Effect of High-voltage Electrostatic Field on Potassium and Phosphate Uptake by Cucumber Plants
JO - Journal of Plant Electrobiology
T2 - Journal of Plant Electrobiology
JF - Journal of Plant Electrobiology
VL - 1
IS - 1
SP - 32
EP - 41
DO - 10.62762/JPE.2025.597638
UR - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JPE.2025.597638
KW - Cucumis sativus L.
KW - depolarization
KW - high-voltage electric field
KW - hyperpolarization
KW - ion absorption kinetics
AB - An individual plant cell functions as a complex dynamic circuit, composed of resistor, capacitor, and inductor networks created by cellular structures and macromolecules. Furthermore, high-voltage electrostatic fields (HVEF) alter its electrical properties and initiate metabolic changes. This study aimed to examine the impact of HVEF on the kinetic properties of potassium (K$^+$) and phosphate (H$_2$PO$_4^-$) absorption by Cucumis sativus L. seedlings, and further probed the regulatory mechanisms by constructing a cell membrane potential model. Experimental findings revealed that HVEF substantially altered the maximum uptake rate ($I_{max}$), half-saturation constant ($K_m$), and minimum critical concentration ($C_{min}$) of K$^+$ and H$_2$PO$_4^-$ absorption in cucumber seedlings. Additionally, the regulatory effects displayed a clear dependence on the intensity of the HVEF. Potassium uptake increased as the intensity rose to 1 kV/cm, before declining between 1 and 2 kV/cm. Likewise, phosphate uptake increased as the intensity reached 0.5 kV/cm, before decreasing between 0.5 and 2 kV/cm. A spherical cell model, based on Poisson's equation, indicated that HVEF caused asymmetric membrane potential shifts (hyperpolarization on the lower hemisphere and depolarization on the upper hemisphere), controlling the opening and closing of ion channels. This research offers a theoretical foundation for the use of HVEF in modulating plant nutrient uptake.
SN - pending
PB - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA - English
ER -
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@article{Zhu2026Effect,
author = {Jianyun Zhu and Meiqing Li},
title = {Effect of High-voltage Electrostatic Field on Potassium and Phosphate Uptake by Cucumber Plants},
journal = {Journal of Plant Electrobiology},
year = {2026},
volume = {1},
number = {1},
pages = {32-41},
doi = {10.62762/JPE.2025.597638},
url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JPE.2025.597638},
abstract = {An individual plant cell functions as a complex dynamic circuit, composed of resistor, capacitor, and inductor networks created by cellular structures and macromolecules. Furthermore, high-voltage electrostatic fields (HVEF) alter its electrical properties and initiate metabolic changes. This study aimed to examine the impact of HVEF on the kinetic properties of potassium (K\$^+\$) and phosphate (H\$\_2\$PO\$\_4^-\$) absorption by Cucumis sativus L. seedlings, and further probed the regulatory mechanisms by constructing a cell membrane potential model. Experimental findings revealed that HVEF substantially altered the maximum uptake rate (\$I\_{max}\$), half-saturation constant (\$K\_m\$), and minimum critical concentration (\$C\_{min}\$) of K\$^+\$ and H\$\_2\$PO\$\_4^-\$ absorption in cucumber seedlings. Additionally, the regulatory effects displayed a clear dependence on the intensity of the HVEF. Potassium uptake increased as the intensity rose to 1 kV/cm, before declining between 1 and 2 kV/cm. Likewise, phosphate uptake increased as the intensity reached 0.5 kV/cm, before decreasing between 0.5 and 2 kV/cm. A spherical cell model, based on Poisson's equation, indicated that HVEF caused asymmetric membrane potential shifts (hyperpolarization on the lower hemisphere and depolarization on the upper hemisphere), controlling the opening and closing of ion channels. This research offers a theoretical foundation for the use of HVEF in modulating plant nutrient uptake.},
keywords = {Cucumis sativus L., depolarization, high-voltage electric field, hyperpolarization, ion absorption kinetics},
issn = {pending},
publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}
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