Scientists have developed ‘electronic soil’ to enhance crop growth
- Scientists have developed ‘electronic soil’ to enhance crop growth.
- Researchers have developed a new electronic soil. It will be used for soilless cultivation methods like hydroponics.
- Researchers have found that e-soil helped barley seedlings to grow an average of 50 per cent more.
- The eSoil is made of cellulose. It is a biopolymer mixed with a conductive polymer called PEDOT.
- High voltage has been used before by researchers to stimulate roots.
- The main advantage of eSoil is that it has very low energy consumption and no high-voltage danger.
- As per the study, hydroponics cultivation will have a better growth rate due to electrical stimulation.
- The researchers have not ensured that the e-soil can resolve the problem of food security.
- Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants without soil with the help of a water-based nutrient solution.
- It uses closed systems that recirculate water to make sure each seedling gets exactly the nutrients it needs.
