American scientists have developed a pioneering farming method that makes traditional photosynthesis obsolete. This “electro-agriculture” uses solar panels to convert CO2 and water into acetate, on which plants can grow. The method is four times more efficient than traditional photosynthesis and can reduce land use by 94%.
Tomatoes and lettuce have already been successfully grown using this technique. Researchers are now working on plants that can live entirely on acetate, without sunlight. This opens up possibilities for compact, multilayered agricultural buildings and even food production in space. The technique could dramatically change the future of food production, independent of seasons and weather conditions.
A promising innovation
The development of “electro-agriculture” offers an answer to the limitations of traditional agriculture. With only 1% efficiency in converting sunlight to usable energy, photosynthesis is far from optimal. The new method uses solar panels to initiate a chemical reaction between CO2 and water. This results in the production of acetate, a substance on which plants can grow without sunlight. This innovation is an important step forward in the search for more sustainable farming methods.
Tomatoes and lettuce
Successful experiments have already led to the growth of tomatoes and lettuce that can utilize both photosynthesis and acetate. This breakthrough could lead to a fundamental overhaul of how we produce food and could provide a solution for food production in challenging environments, such as space. In addition to the growth of traditional crops, electro-agriculture offers opportunities for the commercial cultivation of organisms such as mushrooms, yeast, and algae.
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