As the demand for safer and more sustainable agricultural practices grows, new methods are emerging that could transform the way we cultivate crops. One such method involves the use of ultrafine bubble water (UFW), a unique type of water that has shown promising results in enhancing plant growth and resilience. This innovative approach offers the potential to reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, improving both crop yield and quality in a natural way.
Recent findings has demonstrated that using UFW in melon farming can significantly reduce insect infestation while also improving both the yield and quality of melons. This groundbreaking study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Ching-Chieh Yang from Season Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and Dr. Swee-Suak Ko from 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 traditional pesticide usage in melon cultivation.
Melon farming has traditionally relied heavily on pesticides to manage pests such as aphids, thrips, and whiteflies, which can severely damage crops and reduce yield. However, the 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 UFW, which contains nanobubbles of hydrogen and oxygen, can be a game-changer in this regard.
In their experiments, Yang, Dr. Ko, and the team observed that melon plants irrigated with UFW showed enhanced growth and development compared to those watered with regular reverse osmosis (RO) water. Notably, UFW-treated plants developed more root hairs and taller shoots, and they produced more flowers. A remarkable finding was the significant reduction in aphid infestation on UFW-irrigated melon plants. This effect was attributed to the increased density and robustness of trichomes—hair-like structures on the leaves—induced by UFW.
The researchers further explored whether the hydrogen or oxygen in UFW was responsible for these beneficial effects. Both hydrogen and oxygen-enriched UFW increased trichome density, but hydrogen-enriched UFW was particularly effective in boosting the gene expression of GLABRA2 (GL2), a key gene associated with trichome development, highlighting hydrogen’s crucial role in strengthening the plant’s defenses.
UFW irrigation also improved the overall quality of the melon fruits. Melons irrigated with UFW had higher root biomass, greater fruit weight, and increased sweetness compared to those grown with regular water. These improvements are likely due to the enhanced photosynthesis capacity in UFW-irrigated plants, as indicated by higher chlorophyll content and better stomatal conductance.
Ching-Chieh Yang emphasized the potential of UFW in revolutionizing 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 farming.” The team envisions that UFW could be easily integrated into existing irrigation systems, providing farmers with a practical solution to improve crop yields and quality while minimizing environmental impact.
Yang, Dr. Ko, and their colleagues believe that the findings from this study pave the way for further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying UFW’s effects on plant growth and pest resistance. They see the potential applications of UFW extending beyond melons, offering 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 Farming: 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 Chief Executive Officer of Season Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. Taiwan (https://fefg.com.tw/). He has accumulated more than 263 invention patents in biological and electromechanical related fields. 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 of Academia Sinica Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan. She is interested in Agricultural biotechnology, functional genomic study on rice and orchids, and carbon sink on Napier grass.
Jo-Chi Hung is a principle research assistance of Academia Sinica Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan. She is focusing on Agricultural biotechnology and rice functional genomics.
Ning-Juan Li is a senior manager of Season Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. Taiwan. She is an expert in planning and management of agriculture and aquaculture.
Ching-Yen Peng is a consultant of Season Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. Taiwan. He is an expert in the research and development of microbial fertilizers and edible fungi.
