Low Levels of Toxic Gas Found To Encourage Plant Growth 103
olsmeister writes "Hydrogen Sulfide is a toxic, flammable, foul-smelling gas that some theorize may have been at least partially responsible for some of Earth's mass extinctions, including the Permian-Triassic event, which killed well over half of the species on the planet. Now, thanks to a fortuitous accident, doctoral student at the University of Washington seems to have discovered that very low doses of the gas seems to greatly enhance plant growth, causing plants to germinate more quickly and grow larger. The finding could have far reaching implications for both food and biofuel production."
Re:Yes please, (Score:2, Informative)
How does exposing a plant in its infant state to a gas that does not retain its chemical properties once absorbed (if it's absorbed at all) equal 'more toxic food'?
A vague attempt at research (reading the article would be a good start) before posting blanket statements would be much appreciated in the future.
Re:Suspended Animation stuff? (Score:3, Informative)
Yes.
http://phys.org/news115924695.html [phys.org]
Re:Yes please, (Score:4, Informative)
"Well, sorry for not liking poisons round my food."
Boy, do I have some news for you. Almost every fertilizer we use is toxic to humans. Plants are this wonderful thing called a biological filter, and with the exception of some heavy metals, plants tend to break down most anything else and use it.
In this case, besides the germination and flowering results, plants use sulfides/sulfates for:
Integral part of amino acids
Helps develop enzymes and vitamins
Promotes nodule formation on legumes
Aids in seed production
Necessary in chlorophyll formation (though it isn’t one of the constituents)
And a couple more things we haven't fully nailed down.