eSoil Boosts Plant Growth with Electrical Pulses to the Roots

Hydroponic farms enable the cultivation of numerous crop plants in a limited space, but their superiority to traditional farms hinges on faster plant growth. This potential may soon be realized through the creation of electrically conductive “eSoil.”

While hydroponic farms dispense with conventional soil, they employ a growth medium for the roots, commonly utilizing mineral wool. However, the production of mineral wool demands significant energy, and it does not biodegrade after disposal.

Developing an Eco-Friendly and Highly Conductive Substrate

Considering the proven enhancement of plant growth through electrical root stimulation, researchers from Linköping University in Sweden aimed to create an eco-friendly and highly conductive alternative substrate. The outcome is eSoil, a porous material composed of plant-derived cellulose nanofibers combined with a highly conductive polymer called PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate).

Barley Cultivation in eSoil versus Traditional Mineral Wool with Varied Root Stimulation Periods

During a 15-day laboratory experiment, one set of barley plants was cultivated in eSoil, while another group was grown in traditional mineral wool. The eSoil plants underwent no stimulation for the initial five days, followed by mild electrical stimulation of their roots for the subsequent five days. Subsequently, after an additional five days without stimulation, the barley plants were harvested.

The eSoil plants exhibited a remarkable 50% increase in growth on average compared to the control group. This enhanced growth was evident in both the roots and shoots. Unlike previous studies that utilized high-voltage electricity for promoting plant growth, eSoil achieved similar effects with a safer and more energy-efficient low-voltage current.

Assoc. Prof. Eleni Stavrindou, the lead scientist, stated, “We can accelerate seedling growth using fewer resources. The exact biological mechanisms involved in this process are not yet known. Our findings indicate that seedlings process nitrogen more efficiently with electrical stimulation, although the specific impact on this process remains unclear.”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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