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Gwalior. Scientists in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh have conducted a big experiment in the world of farming. Scientists of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Agricultural University have succeeded in growing potatoes in the air without soil. These potatoes have been prepared in the Aeroponics Lab Unit of the Department of Biotechnology of the University, where seeds of about 20 different varieties of potatoes are being developed with the help of only fogging and nutrients.

Scientists claim that potato seeds prepared using this technology are completely free from many diseases and viruses.

Roots hang in the air, not soil

Dr. Sushma Tiwari, scientist of the Department of Biotechnology and in-charge of the aeroponic project, said that in aeroponic technique, plants are first grown in the lab through tissue culture. After this these plants are not planted in the soil.
Before transplanting in an aeroponic unit, hardening is done for about a month, after which the roots of the plants remain hanging in the air.

Fogging system provides complete nutrition

According to Dr. Tiwari, after lightly cutting part of the roots of the plants, constant moisture is maintained through mist or fogging system.
Nutrients are also given through this fogging technique. Till the formation of potato bulbs, the entire nutrition provided to the roots is done only through air and fogging system. Through this process, high quality potato seeds, called mini tubers, are prepared.

Disease free and high yield

Dr. Sushma Tiwari said that potatoes grown in soil are often prone to diseases and viruses, but potatoes prepared through aeroponic technology are completely disease free.
These seeds are more healthy and the production from them is also many times higher.

4 quintals of potatoes from 1 kg seeds

The weight of seeds prepared through aeroponic technique is very less. These mini tubers weigh only 2 to 3 grams.
According to Dr. Tiwari, when this technology was introduced two years ago, about 400 kg of normal potatoes were produced from one kilogram of mini tuber. However, these seeds are made available to farmers only after G-2 process.

This technology can prove to be revolutionary in future in reducing the costs of farmers and increasing production.