Identification & mode of action of a component of positively-ionized air causing enhanced growth in plants

Abstract

Growth and migration of Microcoleus vaginatus (Vaucher) Gomont are increased by positive air ion densities of 1 x 108/cm2/sec. The effect is dependent upon the presence of positively-ionized CO2 and can be duplicated by 3 x 10-9 M indoleacetic acid. The ability of positively-ionized air to release added indoleacetic acid from living oat and corn tissue is compatible with the hypothesis that positively-ionized air causes increased growth in plants by releasing endogenous bound indoleacetic acid.