Search for plant biomagnetism with a sensitive atomic magnetometer

TL;DR

This study used a sensitive atomic magnetometer to set the first experimental limit on the magnetic fields generated by plant biological processes, specifically on the Titan arum during blooming.

Contribution

It is the first to measure and establish an upper limit on plant biomagnetism using atomic magnetometry.

Findings

Surface magnetic field from Titan arum processes is less than ~0.6 microGauss.

Demonstrated the feasibility of detecting plant biomagnetism with high-sensitivity magnetometers.

Provided a baseline for future research on plant magnetic signals.

Abstract

We report what we believe is the first experimental limit placed on plant biomagnetism. Measurements with a sensitive atomic magnetometer were performed on the Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) inflorescence, known for its fast bio-chemical processes while blooming. We find that the surface magnetic field from these processes, projected along the Earth's magnetic field, and measured at the surface of the plant, is less then ~0.6uG.