Researchers at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics at Linköping University (Sweden) has developed the electrically conductive cultivation substrate tailed for hydroponic cultivation that they are calling eSoil.
Key points
- The newly developed eSoil that stimulated root systems helped barley seedlings grow an average of 50 per cent more.
- The low-power bioelectronic scaffolding can be used for soilless cultivation methods like hydroponics.
- The low-power bioelectronic scaffolding can be used for soilless cultivation methods like hydroponics.
- 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.
- eSoil can be used to grow seedlings faster with fewer resources. 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.
