University of Surrey develop technology to grow plants quickly without soil

In the UK, an innovative, space-saving technology to develop fast-growing plants without soil could revolutionise the UK’s bioenergy market, according to researchers from the University of Surrey. The soilless cultivation technology has been awarded £4m from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). 

Along with optimising the technology, this project will see the research team investigate whether their soilless technology can be used for other crops such as hazel, forestry and Miscanthus (a popular energy grass in the UK). These advances will be important for other bioenergy crops and to assist the government’s tree planting targets to support reafforestation and rewilding.  

The team will also look into whether this technology can be used to accelerate the progress of plant breeding programmes, for example, to increase yield and pest or disease resistance.