eSoil : New Development
Researchers have developed a new electronic soil that was found to increase the growth of barley seedlings by 50 per cent in a new study.
- In hydroponic environments, eSoil is a low-power bioelectronic growth substrate that can electrically stimulate the root system and growth environment of plants.
- This is environmentally friendly, being derived from cellulose and a conductive polymer called PEDOT. It offers a low energy, safe alternative to previous methods that required high voltage and non-biodegradable materials.
- It uses low energy and minimizes resource consumption. Its active material is an organic mixed-ionic electronic conductor.
- When the roots of barley seedlings were electrically stimulated for 15 days, they showed a 50% increase in growth using eSoil.
- This research promotes more effective and sustainable development while increasing the variety of crops that can be grown hydroponically.
- In hydroponics, plants are grown without soil, requiring only water, nutrients and a substrate – something for their roots to attach to.
- This closed system allows water to be recirculated, ensuring that each seedling receives exactly the nutrients it needs.
- As a result, very little water is used and all the nutrients remain in the system – something that is not possible with conventional farming.
