🖖 Electrocuting plants

I’m not sure what to make of this one.

And frankly neither do the scientists.

They were testing an "electric cultivation" method in hydroponic farming.

Researchers at the Linköping University in Sweden found that exposing plants to low voltage electric currents stimulated plant growth. 

An electrically conductive polymer is mixed in with the hydroponic substrate. Substrate is a fancy word for a soilless growing medium.

There’s different types.

The polymer their using is, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed,
poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythilopene) or PEDOT.

PEDOT is used in bionics and biomedicine.

Together with the other substrate materials they become an electronic soil- an eSoil.

Electric currents are introduced into the eSoil to speed up plant growth potentially leading to increased yield and efficiency without using chemical additives.

That could mean growing more food faster and reduced water usage per plant.

That in itself is pretty cool because hydroponic systems already use only 10% of the water needed for conventional farming.

Aeroponic systems even less.

According to Linköping University, “…barley seedlings grown in the conductive “soil” grew up to 50% more in 15 days when their roots were stimulated electrically.”

Wouldn’t you?

They’re not too sure what it is about the current that helps the plants.

I’m gonna say that because the plants aren’t in the ground, they’re not in contact with Earth’s negative ions that are everywhere on the ground- especially near water.

The current then replaces the field and helps them grow. Keeps them grounded.

I also suspect that the electrocuted plants will be firmer than those that aren’t. I’ve always had a hunch that vertical farm produce is flimsier than ground-grown produce because they’re not…grounded.

They’re disconnected from the circuit.

Let’s see.

Companies in the industry could see major growth opportunities if electric cultivation becomes a standard practice.

Clearly more research is needed to fully understand the effects of electric currents on plant growth.

And I’m not sure if it can be a viable or even cost-effective solution for all types of plants and farming operations.

With the proper gear and materials it could be safe in modular habitats or space craft.

There are a lot more tests to be done.

In the meantime, share this with a friend, put this device down and go have a piece of fruit or something.

Cheers.