IIT Guwahati Develops Microfluidic System to Boost Crop Yields

Researchers at IIT Guwahati have created a cost-effective microfluidic system that mimics soil conditions, enhancing root growth and nitrogen uptake in crops. This innovation, supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board, promises significant advancements in agriculture.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a portable and cost-effective microfluidic system designed to replicate soil-like conditions. The system has been shown to optimize nutrient flow, improving root growth and nitrogen uptake, thereby enhancing crop yields, according to a press release from IIT Guwahati.

Prof Pranab Kumar Mondal, an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and faculty at the School of Agro and Rural Technology at IIT Guwahati, led the team that used microfluidics to study how roots absorb nutrients. The innovative application of microfluidic technology to analyze root behavior has the potential to significantly improve agricultural management by optimizing nutrient delivery and root development.

The research, supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India, has been published in 'Lab on a Chip,' a journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The paper co-authored by Kaushal Agarwal, Dr. Sumit Kumar Mehta, and Prof Mondal will also be featured as cover art in an upcoming issue. Prof Mondal's team focused on how nutrient flow impacts the growth of the primary root, critical for the plant's water and nutrient absorption.

Traditional methods of studying root dynamics are challenging due to the need for large containers and complex handling. Microfluidics, which studies fluid flow in micrometre-sized structures, allows for precise control and characterization, overcoming these challenges. While existing microdevices often explore root-bacteria interactions and hormonal signaling, there's limited research on real-time root dynamics.

Specifically, the team aimed to understand how nutrient flow affects root growth and nitrogen uptake in the high-yielding mustard variety Pusa Jai Kisan. Their research showed that optimal nutrient flow enhances root length and nitrogen uptake, but excessive flow stresses the root, reducing growth. The findings suggest that managed nutrient flow can induce significant changes, promoting plant growth. The team plans to further investigate molecular mechanisms underlying these changes.