Geomagnetic Anomaly in the Growth Response of Peat Moss <i>Sphagnum riparium</i> to Temperature

Abstract

Temperature plays an essential role in a plant’s life. The current investigation reveals that photoreceptors, whose activity is affected by the geomagnetic field, are a critical element of its perception. This knowledge suggests that plants’ responses to temperature could shift in different geomagnetic conditions. To test this hypothesis, we studied the change in the growth response of the peat moss Sphagnum riparium to temperature with a gradual increase in the geomagnetic Kp index. Growth data for this species were collected from Karelian mires by detailed monitoring over eight full growing seasons. The growth of 209,490 shoots was measured and 1439 growth rates were obtained for this period. The analysis showed a strong positive dependence of sphagnum growth on temperature (r = 0.58; n = 1439; P = 1.7 × 10−119), which is strongest in the Kp range from 0.87 to 1.61 (r = 0.65; n = 464; P = 4.5 × 10−58). This Kp interval is clearer after removing the seasonal contributions from the growth rate and temperature and is preserved when diurnal temperature is used. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis and show the unknown contribution of the geomagnetic field to the temperature responses of plants.

Keywords

• boreal peatland
• peat moss
• growth monitoring
• geotropic curvature method
• temperature
• geomagnetic K_p index