Equipment and protocol for measurement of extracellular electrical signals, gas exchange and turgor pressure in plants

Abstract

We present a detailed protocol for measuring extracellular electrical signals in plants using the electrode insertion technique. Using this approach, it is possible to measure long-distance electrical signaling induced by several stimuli, including wounding, current application, irrigation, burning, and others. Additionally, we describe how to associate gas exchange measurements using an infra-red gas analyzer (IRGA, Model Li-6400, Li-Cor) and turgor pressure measurements using a patch clamp pressure probe (ZIM-probe, YARA ZIM-plant Technology) to measure extracellular electrical signals.• The method requires a complete electrical circuit that includes a measuring device (amplifier and voltmeter) and electrodes that provide a contact between the biological material and the equipment.• The infra-red gas analyzer (IRGA), needs to be grounded because it is an important source of noise for electrophysiological measurements.• The ZIM-probe did not cause any interference in electrical signal measure.• Our approach is useful for plant physiologists wishing to implement the technique of measuring electrical signals in plants, in association with other parameters of plant physiology. In addition, our text was written for agricultural and biological scientists who are not electronics specialists.