LettUs Grow trial growing Nicotiana benthamiana in aeroponic systems
LettUs Grow trial growing Nicotiana benthamiana with aeroponics
In this proof of concept trial, our research scientists explored growing Nicotiana benthamiana in our aeroponic farm.
Nicotiana benthamiana is a plant widely used as a model organism in research, including for plant pathology and pharmaceutical research. This area of biotechnology research hopes to be able to use plants to produce pharmaceuticals that could be useful in treating cancers, infectious diseases and to create vaccinations.
Nicotiana benthamiana is a nicotiana plant indingenous to Australia and a close relative to the tobacco plant. It is often used in plant-based biotechnology research as it is easily infected, and so can be used to develop treatments both more quickly and for a wider variety of uses or ailments.
Currently, the proteins needed in this work are either harvested from the natural environment, or produced artificially in labs. By producing plants instead, scientists would be able to harvest these proteins on a much greater scale. Growing in controlled environments such as vertical farms also means there is additional control over plant irrigation, nutrition and any environmental conditions set by government regulations.
In a recent trial, we assessed the performance of growing Nicotiana benthamiana in an aeroponic system, exploring our ability to grow high quality plants that could be used for the production of beneficial pharmaceuticals.
Seeds were sown into plugs, germinated and then were gradually thinned out to decrease plant density to one plant per plug once they had been moved to the propagation beds and placed in deep-water culture. Once roots began to develop, they were moved into the aeroponic system. Plant growth and development was monitored until the first flowering buds were formed, when they were then harvested.
The growing process was approximately as follows:
• Seven days in germination
• 24 days in propagation phase
• 11 days in the aeroponic system before beginning to flower
It was particularly noteworthy that none of the 19 plants grown in the systems had any signs of pest or disease. This was a great success since Nicotiana benthamiana is particularly prone to infection, which can slow down scientific trials and research.
With the proof of concept a success, the next stages would be to repeat the trials with a commercial partner, in order to enhance the accuracy of results and to focus on continued yield improvement, the plant density and development of fresh leaves.
You can learn more about our research and development trials, or get in touch with any partnership proposals here.