Bioengineers from Washington University, the University of Delaware, and the
University of California propose a new method called electro-agriculture
(electro-ag) to boost the efficiency of photosynthesis with a solar-powered
chemical reaction that efficiently converts carbon dioxide into acetate. The
researchers say that adopting electro-ag could reduce US agricultural land
usage by up to 88%.



Electro-ag uses renewable energy to convert carbon dioxide into acetate,
which allows the heterotrophic growth of food crops. This method enables
plants to receive energy directly from the acetate, making it more efficient
than traditional photosynthesis. Through this process, electro-ag could
achieve at least four-fold improvement in solar-to-food efficiency compared
to traditional farming.



This transformative approach minimizes the use of land, which could free
nearly half of the country's land for ecosystem restoration and natural
carbon sequestration. Electro-ag could also operate in extreme environments,
including deserts, cities, and even on Mars, where growing food is
difficult. Researchers also say that electro-ag could also help avoid food
price hikes and promote sustainable and equitable food systems.



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