CROPS WITHOUT SOIL

Evening Star, Issue 22454, 26 September 1936, Page 3

CROPS WITHOUT SOIL

AMERICAN SYNTHETIC FARMING Man’s dependence on the soil for the production of crops is now challenged as a result of a series of experiments being conducted at the University of California at Berkeley (writes Harry M. Nelson, in the ‘ Christian Science Monitor ’). Tile results so far achieved show that in the future man may produce an abundance of certain kinds of foodstuffs by what may be called a synthetic process. The process evolved consists of growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers in a nutrient liquid culture media. The experiments have been under way now for some nine years, and have reached a stage where such foods as tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, onions, .cabbages —in fact, all plants high in water, sugar, and starch content—can be produced to compete on‘the market with soil-grown crops. Not only that, but crops can be raised in far greater quantities than would be possible on a given soil area, and in many instances are superior to those grown in the orthodox fashion. The process was conceived by Dr W. F. Gencke of the university’s agricultural experiment station. Its value lies in its simplicity. It consists of the use of a basin constructed of concrete, wood, or metal. This basin is about 6in in depth, and may be of any suitable area. SAWDUST. Over the top of this basin is stretched wire screen, and on top of this screen is placed a mat of excelsior and sawdust, or any suitable litter to serve as a seed bed for plants. Plants or seeds are then placed in this bedding and kept moist by water in the basins. As the plants grow the roots enter the water into which has been introduced tho necessary plant elements in the form of a “ fertilising unit ” —a glass cell which permits ready solubility at a regular rate.

These elements, 11 in number in most cases, are mixed in definite ratios, and become _ diffused in the water in such proportion one to another as to ensure a normal nutrition, such as is provided by a highly fertile soil. In the case of crops grown out of season, such as tomatoes in the winter, the culture is in greenhouses, and the water is heated to proper temperature. As regards the latter, two general methods' have been developed—electric heating and the combustion of natural gas and oil. But this artificial'heating and greenhouse seclusion are not required in plants grown in season. Crops of this nature may be grown out of doors in any clime' where they normally grow. In localities having a year-around equable climate, such as parts of Arizona and California, they may be grown at any time of the year. The conclusion one must reach from this is that places having a high and dry climate will become the favoured spots in the future for this kind of farming! Dr Gericke, a tall,_ kindly man, is very modest about his achievements. He says the fundamentals upon which his process is based have been known to plant physiology over a period of 77 years. Its application to the production of foodstuffs had evaded scientific research because of insufficient data on which to base laboratory experiments. He attributes his success to the fact that he broke away in a measure from the procedure of past experiments which had as their objective the control of the nutrient elements in plants, and took into consideration, as he puts it, “ the art and the law of farming.” Whereas only the _ single factor had served as a control in the past, he took into consideration the additional factors of climate and light on crop production. He applied his practical knowledge of crop production gained as a boy on a Nebraska farm, and was thus able to bring into being a new technique. SUPERSTITIOUS FARMERS. “ Farmers,” he told this writer, “ are inclined to be superstitious. “ They follow a set of laws which have been handed down for centuries. Many of their beliefs in the light of science may seem somewhat far-fetched, to say the least. But if one looks into them one will find they are usually based on sound precepts. < There may even be,” and he smiled broadly, “ something to the light of the moon. That is, he added, “ the radiation of light waves.” Prom the beginning his theories met with gratifying success, even though the literature on water culture in no way indicated that liquid media could be used as a substitute in a practical way for growing crops. As the experiments were extended to include a variety of fruits and vegetables and the culture technique for these perfected, it was decided to branch out into other localities in the State, in order that large-scale production might be tested under varying conditions and climates. A technique appropriate for a crop in one place may not be satisfactory in another. Thus before the process can be released for general use, it needs to be tested over a wide geographical area. These tests, Dr Gericke said, will be made in actual commercial establishments, as the problems to be solved cannot be worked out in small-scale experiments. such as have, been conducted on the university campus. PR OPER SUCCESSION. At present, he is engaged in attempting to work out a proper succession of crops which may be grown by his method. As an illustration of what may be achieved in this respect, he says it would be possible to start in January with the planting of onions or potatoes —crops that can stand the cold. Then at the end of May or early in June, when this crop has matured, the beds could be planted with corn, beans, tomatoes, or another crop of potatoes. In September or October, when this second crop has come to fruition, cabbage, cauliflower—any type of water crop, for that matter, or root crops, such as carrots and beets, could be planted. In this way a series of crops could be raised outdoors in localities in which the climate is favourable. In regions of shorter growing seasons fewer outdoor crops would he the rule. Heating of the water in the basins and seclusion in greenhouses would, of course, make it possible to produce crops the entire year. Dr G&ricke says that his tests to date have revealed that none of the cereals,, such as barley or wheat, or forage crops can be raised by his process to compete on the market with soil-grown crops. The expense of the chemicals is too great. In the case of potatoes, tomatoes, and so on, chemical expense is but a small fraction of the cost of the crop.