As demand for safer and more sustainable farming practices grows, new methods are emerging that could transform the way we grow crops. One such method involves the use of ultrafine bubble water (UFW), a unique type of water that has shown promising results in improving plant growth and resilience. This innovative approach offers the potential to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, improving both crop yield and quality naturally.
Recent findings have shown that using distilled water in melon cultivation can significantly reduce insect infestation while improving both the yield and quality of melons. This pioneering study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Ching-Chieh Yang of Season Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and Dr. Swee-Suak Ko of Academia Sinica, in collaboration with Jo-Chi Hung, Ning-Juan Li, and Ching-Yen Peng. Their work, published in the journal Plants, suggests a promising alternative to the traditional use of pesticides in melon cultivation.
Traditionally, melon cultivation has relied heavily on pesticides to control pests such as aphids, thrips and whiteflies, which can severely damage crops and reduce yield. However, excessive use of pesticides poses significant environmental and health risks. This has led researchers to explore more sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices. The team behind this study found that distilled water, which contains hydrogen and oxygen nanobubbles, can be a game-changer in this regard.
In their experiments, Yang, Dr. Ko and the team observed that melon plants irrigated with deionized water showed enhanced growth and development compared to those irrigated with regular reverse osmosis (RO) water. In particular, plants treated with deionized water developed more root hairs and taller shoots, and produced more flowers. A notable finding was the significant reduction in aphid infestation on melon plants irrigated with deionized water. This effect was attributed to the increased density and robustness of trichomes (hair-like structures on leaves) induced by deionized water.
The researchers further explored whether hydrogen or oxygen in distilled water was responsible for these beneficial effects. Both hydrogen- and oxygen-enriched distilled water increased trichome density, but hydrogen-enriched distilled water was particularly effective at increasing gene expression. GLABRA2 (GL2), a key gene associated with trichome development, highlighting the crucial role of hydrogen in strengthening the plant's defenses.
Irrigation with deionized water also improved the overall quality of melon fruits. Melons irrigated with deionized water had higher root biomass, higher fruit weight, and higher sweetness compared to those grown with normal water. These improvements are likely due to the higher photosynthetic capacity in plants irrigated with deionized water, as indicated by higher chlorophyll content and better stomatal conductance.
Ching-Chieh Yang highlighted the potential for deionized water to revolutionize pest management in agriculture, stating: “This method offers a natural, non-toxic approach to pest control that could significantly reduce the need for pesticides in melon cultivation.” The team envisions that deionized water could be easily integrated into existing irrigation systems, providing farmers with a practical solution to improve crop yield and quality while minimizing environmental impact.
Yang, Dr. Ko and their colleagues believe that the findings of this study pave the way for future research into the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of deionized water on plant growth and pest resistance. They believe that the potential applications of deionized water extend beyond melons and offer a promising tool for sustainable agriculture in various high-value crops.
Journal reference
Hung, J.-C., Li, N.-J., Peng, C.-Y., Yang, C.-C. & Ko, S.-S. “Safe agriculture: ultrafine bubble water reduces insect infestation and improves melon yield and quality”. Plants, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13040537
About the authors
Ching-Chieh Yang is the CEO of Season Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. Taiwan (https://fefg.com.tw/). He has accumulated over 263 invention patents in fields related to biology and electromechanics. He also serves as the Chairman of the Green Energy Agriculture Committee of the Taiwan ESG Sustainable Development Association.
Swee-Suak (Rachel) Ko is an associate research specialist at the Biotechnology Center of Academia Sinica in southern Taiwan. She is interested in agricultural biotechnology, functional genomics of rice and orchids, and carbon sinks of elephant grass.
Jo-Chi Hung She is a senior research assistant at the Academia Sinica Biotechnology Center in southern Taiwan. She focuses on agricultural biotechnology and functional genomics of rice.
Ning Juan Li She is a senior manager of Season Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., Taiwan. She is an expert in agriculture and aquaculture planning and management.
Ching Yen Peng He is a consultant for Season Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. of Taiwan. He is an expert in research and development of microbial fertilizers and edible mushrooms.
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