Amplification, by Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields, of Plant Growth Regulator Induced Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase During Differentiation in Suspension Cultured Plant Cells

Using pulsed eletromagnetic fields (PEW) similar to those used clinically to treat un-united fractures, we investigated the effect on the induction of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), a marker of differentiation in the French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). In both an induction medium and a maintenance medium, fresh logarithmically-growing cells showed a significant increase in PAL activity over control. Numbers of differentiated nodules showing xylem elements corresponded with the increase in PAL. We suggest that PEW acting synergistically with inducers of differentiation my act through a common metabolic intermediate since it is effective only at the time of the response to plant growth regulator action where seen.