New Delhi:Scientists have developed an electrically conductive "soil" which they say can lead to 50 per cent more growth of barley seedlings on average in 15 days. This soilless cultivation method, known as hydroponics, uses a root system that is stimulated electrically through a new cultivation substrate.
"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," said Eleni Stavrinidou, an associate professor at the Linkoping University in Sweden.
"But with hydroponics we can grow food also in urban environments in very controlled settings," Stavrinidou said. The team developed an electrically conductive cultivation substrate, tailored to hydroponic cultivation, that they call eSoil.
Their research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that barley seedlings grown in the conductive "soil" grew up to 50 per cent more in 15 days when their roots were stimulated electrically.
Hydroponic cultivation means that plants grow without soil, needing only water, nutrients and something their roots can attach to - a substrate. It is a closed system that enables water recirculation so that each seedling gets exactly the nutrients it needs. Therefore, very little water is required and all nutrients remain in the system, which is not possible in traditional cultivation.
Hydroponics also enables vertical cultivation in large towers to maximise space efficiency. Crops already being cultivated in this manner include lettuce, herbs and some vegetables. Grains are not typically grown in hydroponics apart for their use as fodder.