Staticaponics: Electrospray delivery of nutrients and water to the plant root zone

Electrospray deposition (ESD) was utilized for targeted nutrient and water delivery to the roots of lettuce plants. Compatibility of ESD with nutrient solutions was confirmed; however, detrimental effects of ESD electric fields/current on plant growth were observed. To overcome this, a novel approach called “Staticaponics" was introduced by separating current and mass transport of ESD using a grounded metal mesh surrounding the root zone. This combination of ESD along with aeroponic and hydroponic concepts was shown to have higher nutrient solution use efficiency than either hydroponic or aeroponic growth alone, with acceptable plant nutrient content in the resulting plant tissue.