What is Electroculture Agriculture?

Introduction to New Generation Agricultural Practices

New generation agricultural practices can differ from traditional agricultural methods with technological innovations and sustainability-oriented strategies, while there are also those that resemble traditional methods. These practices aim to increase resource efficiency, protect the environment and optimize agricultural production. The methods include very different applications. In some applications, soil is the main component, while in some applications, soil is completely separated from the process. Which system is more efficient and protects the plant from diseases brings with it various discussions. Some traditional growers do not find agriculture without soil, and that it is not right and healthy to grow the plant in a foreign environment. The absence of soil also means the absence of minerals and vitamins that the plant will receive from the soil. Some innovators argue that with these methods, the solution to the increasing population and nutrition problem can be possible with these exotic growing conditions. In our article, we will encounter a wide variety of methods, give electricity to plants, look at their magnetic fields, put them in an environment without water, and control environmental conditions. In this article, we will only explain what electroculture is and how it can be applied.

What is Electroculture Agriculture?

Electroculture is a farming method that uses electrical fields and currents to increase the growth and development of plants. This method is usually applied by gardeners. Because it may seem like a relatively inexpensive and self-paced process. However, the situation is a little different. First, let's take a look at a few Youtube videos:

If you look at those who apply electroculture in their gardens, you will see that they usually aim to increase the development of plant cells by drawing positive electric charges from the air into their own soil with a simple mechanism. However, the electrolyte is not limited to such a simple event. You can also implement this system by giving electricity to the plant roots yourself at regular intervals with more than one electrode at a depth that will touch the roots of the plants. Of course, this second method we mentioned will be a little more costly and will cause a small extra cost on your electricity bill. Let's look at the details and examine whether giving electricity has an effect on plant development:

As we mentioned when applying electroculture, you can put antennas made of copper rods in the ground and attract static electricity and lightning to the ground. We know that when lightning strikes the ground, nitrogen gas in the air accumulates in the soil as nitrate, which is vital. At the same time, microorganisms are activated by this heat and energy. If we do not see other negative aspects, this situation is quite a good thing for plants. In this case, we encounter a dilemma in electroculture applications. In some articles, it is argued that AC current is more beneficial for plant development, while in others, DC current is more effective.

AC Current (Alternating Current)

Since AC current is constantly changing in a direction, it is possible to talk about a constant change in the electric field on the plant. It is thought that this can increase the stimulation of the plant's cells and roots and that nutrients can be used more effectively by the root. It has been observed that AC current does not negatively affect the activity of microorganisms in the soil during its application. This current creates an equal electric field in the soil and stimulates the roots in a wider area. The disadvantage of this application is that the effect of an irregular current on the plants will be more irregular because it is not possible to predict how the plants will react to constantly changing electric fields.

DC Current (Direct Current)

DC current moves in a fixed direction and creates a permanent electric field. This field can cause roots to grow in one direction. Research suggests that DC current can directly affect root cell division and cellular metabolism. A fixed electric field can help the plant absorb nutrients better. Although DC current seems more beneficial, it has more disadvantages. At high current values, it can cause ionic imbalances in the soil and affect the soil pH value. Long-term DC current use can have harmful effects on roots and soil, and can even cause microorganisms in the soil to die.

In a published article, the researcher prepared 3 different setups in the experiment applied to garlic. In the first setup, he planted the garlic as it was and did not apply any electricity. In the second setup, he applied a voltage of 6V and in the last setup, he applied a voltage of 12V. The results of the experiment, as you can imagine, are not very encouraging. When you examine the table below, you can see that the garlic that was not applied electricity reached a height of nearly 80 cm at the end of the experiment, while the ones that were given electricity had the opposite effect on the amount of growth of the voltage values.

ADJUSTING THE CURRENT VALUE

Each plant has its own development process and there are thousands of plants, vegetables and fruits that you can grow in the world. Setting the optimum current value for each of these will require a long trial and error. In my opinion, the current value should be different for each plant, just as the type of current that should be applied to it is different. I think that each plant may have an optimum current value. However, this will take a long time and a comprehensive research family may emerge.

1. Plant Type and Growth Stage

• Different types of plants have different levels of tolerance to electric current. Some plants are more sensitive to low currents, while others can withstand higher currents.

• The response of plants to electric current may vary at different developmental stages (seed, seedling, mature plant). It is generally stated that seeds and young plants require lower currents, while mature plants can tolerate higher currents.

2. Current Type (AC or DC)

• We have mentioned the details above, but remember that AC current can provide even distribution over a larger area and therefore may be suitable for more controlled applications.

• The DC current value should be selected at a level that will not damage the plants.

3. Properties of Soil or Nutrient Solution

• Soil Resistance: The electrical resistance of the soil affects the strength of the current that will be applied. In soils with higher resistivity, a higher voltage may be required for a given current to have an effect on plants.

• Ionic Content of Soil or Solution: The amount of ions in the soil or nutrient solution can affect the efficiency with which current is conducted. If conductivity is high, current reaches the roots of plants more effectively.

4. Implementation Period

• The duration of current application is also important. Continuous application can cause stress to plants, so short-term and intermittent applications are generally preferred. Lower currents can be used for longer periods, while high currents should be limited to short periods.

5. Testing and Observation

• It is recommended to make experiments and observations to determine the correct current value. The effects of different current values on plants are tested and the values that provide the best growth and yield results are selected.

General Current Values

• Low Current: Currents in the 10-100 microamperes range are generally considered safe and can promote plant growth.

• Medium Current: Values between 100 microamperes and 1 milliamperes may be beneficial for some plants, but should be applied with caution.

• High Current: Currents above 1 milliampere can be damaging, so should only be used in controlled experiments or special applications.

How Healthy is the App?

Considering that the vast majority of vegetables we eat today are produced from hybrid seeds and produced with chemical hormone supplements, I find it unnecessary to discuss how unhealthy it is to stimulate plant roots with electricity, but it would still be important to look at the following headings.

• Harmful Potential: Using incorrect current values can harm plants. High currents in particular can damage plant cells and cause toxic effects. Therefore, it is very important to set the correct current values and durations.

• Lack of Understanding of Biological Effects: The long-term biological effects of electroculture are not fully understood. More research is needed on how electrical stimulation affects the genetic structure and cellular processes of plants.

• Balance between Productivity and Health: Although electroculture provides increased yield, it is still unclear how this increase affects quality. Obtaining healthy and nutritious products should not be based solely on increased yield. The aim of obtaining high yields may negatively affect nutritional value.

• Environmental Impacts: The environmental impacts of electroculture are also discussed. High energy consumption and the environmental impacts of this energy use may be a factor that questions the sustainability of electroculture.

• Not Suitable for Plant Needs: Not all plant species benefit from electroculture in the same way. While this method may produce positive results for some plants, it may be ineffective or harmful for others. Also, the effects of electroculture may vary in certain soil and climate conditions.

Current Values for Some Vegetables

Generally, the indispensable parts of gardens are tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Therefore, I will share the current values that are considered optimum for these three vegetables. Of course, do not forget that there may be different current values even for different types of tomatoes. You have to find the optimum current value for the vegetable you grow by experimenting.

1. Pepper

   Low current levels in the range of 5-10 microamperes (μA) can positively affect plant growth.

2. Tomatoes

   Levels of 10-20 microamperes (μA) may be appropriate for increasing root development and yield.

3. Cucumber

   A range of 5-15 microamperes (μA) is generally safe and supports the plant.

You should definitely start with lower current values in the beginning. If the plant responds positively, you should gradually increase the current. You should definitely record your research by keeping notes and creating tables. This will help you understand the optimum conditions for the next plant you grow.

What You Need to Try at Home

1. Obtain Necessary Materials

   1. Electrical source (battery or AC adapter)

   2. Electrodes (metal rods or wires)

   3. A conductive material (e.g. copper or aluminum)

   4. Plants (seeds or seedlings)

2. Prepare the Conductive Material

   Place the electrodes at the plant's roots or in the soil. Properly connecting the conductive material will allow the electric current to reach the plant.

3. Adjust the Electric Current

   Determine the appropriate voltage and current values. Low voltage applications are generally preferred. Start with low values to observe the effect of the current on the plants and increase as necessary.

4. Try It Out

   Experiment with a few plants on your first application. Observe the effect of the electric current on the growth of the plants. Make adjustments if necessary.

5. Save Results

   Record the development, growth rate and health of the plants after each application. This data will help you evaluate the effectiveness of electroculture.

Conclusion

Electroculture stands out as an innovative method that pushes the boundaries of modern agriculture. The promise of accelerating plant growth, increasing productivity, and strengthening resistance to environmental stress factors highlights the importance of this method. However, each plant species may respond differently to different levels of electric current. Therefore, careful trials and detailed observations should be carried out for the successful application of electroculture. Future research will further understand the potential of this technology and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.