Abstract
This study evaluated the use of electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis of potassium chloride for spray treatment on leaf surfaces of mitsuba (Japanese honewort, Cryptotaenia japonica Hassk) in solution culture. Growth examination and composition analysis were carried out with a non-sprayed lot as a control lot. As a result, free amino acid and total phenolic content increased both in the lot sprayed with diluted electrolyzed alkaline water and in the chlorine-containing lot sprayed with a diluted mixture of electrolyzed alkaline and acidic water. When compared at the same nutrient solution concentration as the control lot, the above lots also showed promotion and increase in the stem length, fresh weight and dry weight as well as intensification of leaf color. The factor of these results is supposed to be the stress response to electrolyzed water spray which added to the osmotic pressure in the organism by accelerating the generation of free amino acid and phenolic substances to raise the component concentration in the organism. Also, the intensity of the imposed stress was found to depend on the concentration of electrolyzed alkaline water and chlorine content.
