Irradiation with low temperature plasma can protect hydroponic crops from pathogens

Good news! This seems to be a very clever approach!

"... For instance, the nutrient solution that is used to feed the plants can easily become contaminated with pathogens like E. coli. To prevent this from happening, growers can use chemicals or simply replace the contaminated solution — but this is wasteful and impractical. In the new study, researchers turned to a surprising ally to help disinfect the crops: plasma. ...

For their research, the team created low-temperature plasma, using a conventional plasma generator.

... Essentially, the methods target an amino acid called tryptophan commonly used in fertilizers. Tryptophan is very useful in plant development and is regularly used in fertilizers to enhance plant growth and stress resistance. It’s also used as a precursor in the production of natural compounds with antimicrobial properties, offering a sustainable approach to managing plant health and yield.

When the amino acid is irradiated, the plasma electrons generate unstable oxygen particles. These go on to produce unstable tryptophan particles. The plants can still use these particles, but the pathogens can’t. Essentially, this starves E. coli while not affecting the plants ..."

"A group led by researchers ... has developed a disinfection technology that uses low-temperature plasma generated by electricity to cultivate environmentally friendly hydroponically grown crops. This innovative technology sterilizes the crops, promoting plant growth without the use of chemical fertilizers. ..."

From the highlights and abstract:

"Highlights

• Irradiation of L-tryptophan (L-Trp) solutions with electrically neutral atomic oxygen produces immediate bactericidal activity.

• Kynurenine and N’-formylkynurenine were identified as irradiation products in the solution.

• Tryptophan radicals (Trp•) are precursors of the oxygen radical irradiation of the solution.

• The bactericidal effect is mediated by central carbon metabolism via enzyme deactivation in E. coli.

Abstract

Organic fertilizers are useful in hydroponic agriculture to bring about a sustainable society with minimal pollution. Irradiation of l-tryptophan (l-Trp) solutions with electrically neutral atomic oxygen produces immediate bactericidal activity. After oxygen radical irradiation of an l-Trp-containing Escherichia coli suspension at pH 6.3 for 5 min, a colony-forming unit assay showed a 6-log reduction in the number of surviving E. coli. Kynurenine and N’-formylkynurenine were identified as irradiation products in the solution using liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Tryptophan radicals (Trp•) are precursors of kynurenine and N’-formylkynurenine and are detected using spin-trap electron spin resonance. The bactericidal effect is mediated by central carbon metabolism via enzyme deactivation in E. coli. Enzymatic deactivation via the oxygen radical irradiation of a solution containing the amino acid l-Trp eventually resulted in bacterial death."

Plasma can protect hydroponic crops from pathogens Cutting edge agriculture just got a bit better.

Low-Temperature Plasma used to remove E. coli from hydroponically grown crops

Oxygen radical irradiation transforms an organic fertilizer l-tryptophan into an environment and human-friendly bactericide

Graphical abstract

From Japan to Iceland, futuristic vertical farms are starting to bloom

Good news! The next agricultural revolution is in progress! Especially for Iceland with long dark winters!

"In 2016, a new farm in Japan made headlines. It wasn’t your average farm — instead of using soil, it used a hydroponic system, and instead of using sunlight, it used artificial LEDs. But the farm could grow 12,000 heads of lettuce per day, close to urban areas where the product is in high demand.
This isn’t an isolated example. Just one year later, another lettuce vertical farm was established in Iceland, producing a variety of greens that it sells to restaurants and retailers, without using any sunlight whatsoever. ...
When you think about indoor farms, something like a greenhouse likely pops up. But a sweeping trend is revolutionizing indoor farming, moving it from the horizontal to the vertical — and it’s no longer just a concept. All over the world, we’re seeing examples of vertical farming projects, and while significant challenges still exist, the appeal of the technology is hard to ignore. ..."

From Japan to Iceland, futuristic vertical farms are starting to bloom Indoor farming is a growing trend in urban centers, where a single facility can grow millions of heads of lettuce.

Vertical farming appears to take off in various countries

The next, overdue revolution in agriculture is on its way! Less dependence on nature! No sunlight and soil, please! When is a vertical farm coming to a place near you?

Unfortunately, the article does not list but four countries!

"In 2016, a new farm in Japan made headlines. It wasn’t your average farm — instead of using soil, it used a hydroponic system, and instead of using sunlight, it used artificial LEDs. But the farm could grow 12,000 heads of lettuce per day, close to urban areas where the product is in high demand.

This isn’t an isolated example. Just one year later, another lettuce vertical farm was established in Iceland, producing a variety of greens that it sells to restaurants and retailers, without using any sunlight whatsoever. ...
All over the world, we’re seeing examples of vertical farming projects, and while significant challenges still exist, the appeal of the technology is hard to ignore. ...
There are several different ways to do indoor farming, but the most common approach is to use hydroponic systems. ...
it allows for year-round production ... and can be done in smaller places, it’s excellently suited for urban (or near-urban) growing. This reduces the costs and environmental problems associated with transportation. ...
More recently, a farm in Kyoto developed by a company called Spread became a record-breaking facility that also introduced bees to pollinate its strawberries, achieving stable pollination under LED conditions ...
Singapore is also betting on vertical farms with one farm established in 2022 producing 500 tonnes of greens each year, in addition to its previous projects. Being able to grow food directly in urban areas means you can bring it to consumers quickly and inexpensively. ...
It’s estimated there are more than 2,000 vertical farms in the US, and the market is expected to grow $4.21 billion in 2021 to $5.04 billion in 2022. ..."

From Japan to Iceland, futuristic vertical farms are starting to bloom Indoor farming is a growing trend in urban centers, where a single facility can grow millions of heads of lettuce.

Hydroponic Farming: How hydroponic farming is coming to India

Good news! 

"The fresh-produce market in India is expected to reach $10 billion by 2025, and traditional farming alone won’t be able to meet this demand. High-tech vertical farming can help Indian farmers produce food where and when they need it by eliminating the need to find fertile land and quality soil." (Source: McKinsey & Co.)

Hydroponic Farming: How hydroponic farming is redefining the approach of adopting a healthy lifestyle?

The technologies helping move agriculture indoors

Recommendable! Quite possible, Israel is a world leader in advancing agricultural technologies.

Thanks to the Abraham Accords, Israel and the UAE are planning to build advanced greenhouses in the desert of the UAE

"Though it costs more to raise produce in greenhouses or urban “farm factories,” the payoff is higher yield, quality and market value. The plants can grow year-round with less fertilizer and pesticide. ...
[A] 5.5-acre medical cannabis greenhouse complex in Greece is covered with f-CLEAN, a durable polymer offering exceptional light transmission and energy savings. ...
A British-Israeli venture formed from a merger of two established companies about eight years ago, Growponics designs and builds automated hydroponic greenhouse factories in urban settings. ... The plants move on conveyers. We eliminate aisles, which normally take up 15 to 20% of greenhouse space; and we adjust the spacing between plants in different parts of the growth cycle. That alone can increase yield by more than 40% on top of the savings from eliminating aisles. ..."

The technologies helping move agriculture indoors - ISRAEL21c