Electro-Culture: Utilizing Electricity in Agriculture for Better Crop Yield

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The usage of electricity to hasten plant's growth was studied for almost a century. This application was used in many countries both in large and small scale farms and greenhouses. However, there is no standard technique or set-up identified that will give the best result for the plant growth. In the Philippines, agriculture fuels the economy. It is significant to study innovations like these to create more efficient ways to grow our crops.

METHODS

Showing the effect of electricity to plant growth requires miniature set-up of some laboratory farms across the world. It involves a circuit wherein the electric current flows towards a ground that is situated in the plant's growing pots.

RESULTS

In terms of the viability of the seeds. Both species showed higher germination rate when the seeds are applied with electricity. This is accounted to the cytoplasmic streaming of the electric current that makes the germination of the seeds more effective. The results are congruent with the findings of previous researchers about electro-culture. This proves that the positive effect of electro-culture can also be applied to the Philippine crops.

DISCUSSIONS

Electro-culture is a highly disputed concept in agriculture. But several studies proved the positive effect of electricity to plant growth. In this study, we showed that the Philippine crops can also be applied with electricity to increase the seed's viability and growth rate. Using a simple-circuit in applying electric current into the plants, the data collected supports the claim that the electricity makes a higher germination rate and a higher growth rate.