passed a direct current with a density of 2 X 10 to
— 0
8 X 10 amperes per square centimeter through soil for the entire growth
period of the plants. He found that low current densities stimulated
plant development. The starch content of potatoes increased 1 to 2
percent while yield increased 15 to 30 percent. Tomato yields increased
20 to 35 percent with fruit sugar content increasing by 0.3 to 1.0
percent. Sugar beets showed similar responses while cotton exhibited a
larger number of reproductive organs. Electrification of soil, Lutkova
believed, caused increased photosynthesis and decreased sharply the
oxidation processes during crop maturation.