The project, supported by the Club of 100, aims to advance controlled environment agriculture (CEA) through data-driven cultivation systems integrated with plant feedback. Researchers propose that this biofeedback control will optimize yield, quality, and resource efficiency in both vertical farms and greenhouses. Vertical farms offer complete environmental control, which is different from greenhouses that are influenced by external conditions, necessitating distinct decision-making processes. To support this advancement, researchers have synthesized cultivation guidelines from expert knowledge and insights gathered from five vertical farming companies.
Case studies focusing on crops such as lettuce, young tomato plants, and strawberries are conducted to compare cultivation practices and to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the two CEA systems. Researchers propose a biofeedback system that utilizes sensors for both morphological traits, like leaf area, and physiological traits, such as transpiration, in conjunction with climate sensors. The use of technologies like RGB cameras and weighing systems enables real-time monitoring, making it possible to track key attributes efficiently and effectively.
A conceptual framework is introduced to identify significant traits and sensing technologies relevant to the three crops studied. The researchers emphasize the importance of ongoing sensor development and data-driven models to enhance profitability and energy efficiency in CEA systems. This approach supports the development of sustainable, autonomous, high-yield CEA systems, which are crucial for addressing food security challenges and reducing operational costs, particularly those associated with energy-intensive vertical farms.
Carpineti, C., Meinen, E., Tsafaras, I., & Dieleman, A. (2025). Measure, control, grow : bring the plant into the control loop. (Report / Stichting Wageningen Research, Wageningen Plant Research, Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture; No. WPR-1456). Wageningen Plant Research. https://doi.org/10.18174/698708
