Researchers develop ‘electronic soil’ to enhance crop growth

Hydroponics refers to the technique of growing plants without soil using a water-based nutrient solution, an aggregate substrate, or growing media like coconut coir or perlite. It uses closed systems that recirculate water to make sure each seedling gets exactly the nutrients it needs. This means that very little water is needed and that all nutrients remain within the system.

Hydroponic systems often use mineral wool as a cultivation substrate in hydroponics. But these wools are often non-biodegradable and are produced using energy-intensive processes. eSoil is made of cellulose, a biopolymer mixed with a conductive polymer called PEDOT. This combination is not new but it is the first time it has been used for plant cultivation, according to Linköping University.

Previous research has already used high voltage to stimulate the roots but the advantage of eSoil is that it has very low energy consumption and not high-voltage danger. The study showed that barley seedlings can be cultivated using hydroponics and that they have a better growth rate due to electrical stimulation.

“The world population is increasing, and we also have climate change. So it’s clear that we won’t be able to cover the food demands of the planet with only the already existing agricultural methods. But with hydroponics, we can grow food also in urban environments in very controlled settings,” said Stavrinidou in a press statement.

According to Stavrinidou, eSoil can be used to grow seedlings faster with fewer resources. “We don’t yet know how it actually works, which biological mechanisms that are involved. What we have found is that seedlings process nitrogen more effectively, but it’s not clear yet how the electrical stimulation impacts this process,” she added.

While the researchers do not propose that eSoil can address the problem of food security, they assert that it can help in areas with little arable land and harsh environmental conditions.