Sorry I didn't see that part of your post previously here's a link with some limited information:
electroculture » Electric Fertilizer
Basically, back in the early 1900's there were a few people who became interested in electrifying their fields. In one section they buried a copper plate under their field and a zinc plate under a different field and connected them with rebar. As I understand it there is a measurable charge in the atmosphere that the plates enhance. I haven't done all my background research on it yet. The above blog, in particular he uses a cell phone that is hooked up through two nails and gets measurable results from it.