Education and Research

Italy: Research to find simplified and low-cost solutions to optimize energy resources

The objective of the "Sustainable Vertical farming" research project is to find simplified and low-cost solutions to optimize energy resources and encourage the growth of vertical systems farming. The research is coordinated by the Department of Agri-Food Sciences and Technologies - DISTAL.  Launched in 2022,…

Research as a Service at a fraction of the cost revealed at Indoor Ag-Con 2023

"We make some pretty hefty claims with the Photosynthetic R&D lab for plant science, and here are the reasons why. We can reduce the cost of manual labor, increase the speed of R&D, increase yield, and reduce production waste," says Øyvind Hasund Dahl, Chief Revenue Officer at Photosynthetic, a…

VerticalFarmDaily.com

A study:

Life cycle assessment of indoor vertical farms

"A large share of the scientific and grey literature promotes vertical farming as a sustainable solution for food provisioning. However, assessments of the environmental implications of IVFs remain limited in scientific literature, with few cases applying systematic environmental assessments," Michael…

Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Farms in cities: New study offers planners and growers food for thought

Growing food in a city can improve local food security and express local culture. Little information is available, though, on what kinds of spaces and technologies urban agriculture requires. This sort of information would be useful to architects and built environment specialists when they design…

Study:

A modified aeroponic system for growing small-seeded legumes and more to study roots

Various growth systems are available for studying plant root growth and plant–microbe interactions, including hydroponics and aeroponics. Although some of these systems work well with Arabidopsis thaliana and smaller cereal model plants, they may not scale up as well for use with hundreds of plants at a…

A study:

Effectiveness of different LEDs growing Red mustard

The investigation is devoted to optimizing the light spectrum and intensity used for red mustard growing. Notably, most of the studies devoted to red mustard growing were conducted on micro-greens, which is not enough for the development of methods and recommendations for making the right choices about…

India: Agri students of RBU visit mushroom farms

The University School of Agriculture Sciences of Rayat Bahra University organized a field visit to Khan Mushroom Farm and Training Centre, Una. This program was sponsored by the National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management, Hyderabad (MANAGE) and the Punjab Agriculture Management and Extension…

Anguilla govt conducts Fork Farms Hydroponics pilot study

In Anguilla, the pilot of a modular hydroponics growing unit called a Flex Farm is generating a great deal of excitement, hope, and new ideas from all ages about climate-smart agriculture and food security. Anguilla’s arid conditions, plus the seasonal threat of hurricanes, leave little room for error in…

US (CA): UC receives $15M in climate-focused innovation awards

The University of California has received $15M in grants for UC innovation and entrepreneurship in support of California’s climate action goals. The awards are part of a historic $185M partnership between UC and the state of California to tackle the climate crisis, from developing new methods for carbon…

Singapore: Primary school sets up program to educate kids on hydroponics

Educating children about the environment starts young. At least, that's what Shaun Lim, the Subject Head for National Education and Social Studies at Boon Lay Garden Primary School, believes.  The primary school has crafted a structured 6-year program to equip students with knowledge about environmental issues…

US (AL): Auburn University researchers 'reimagine CEA'

While controlled environment agriculture, or CEA, has the potential to improve access to local, nutritious fruits and vegetables on a year-round basis, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with greenhouse production are five times higher than field-grown produce. For this reason, researchers at Auburn…

© Pressmaster | Dreamstime.com

Optimize strawberry fertility with plant tissue testing

In order to optimize growth, fruit quality, and economic return, commercial strawberry production requires intensive and precise fertilization throughout the season. “Farmers have a lot riding on high-value crops such as strawberries, so using a combined strategy of pre-season soil testing and in-season…

Research will tell...

US (DE): Could disused chicken houses be used to grow strawberries?

“We’re just starting,” said Gordon Johnson, a University of Delaware Extension fruit and vegetable specialist. “Come back in two months, and we should be able to tell you whether it’s working or not.” Johnson said there are an estimated 2,400 old or abandoned houses in Delmarva, meaning there’s plenty of…

© Shaiith | Dreamstime.com

Stress memory in plants could hold key to growing disease resistant crops

A mechanism behind how plants can develop long-term immunity to stress has been discovered by scientists at the University of Sheffield. Biotic stress experienced by plants can take the form of attacks by insect herbivores or disease-causing pathogens. In crops grown for food production, this stress…

Researchers design a ‘space salad’ to keep astronauts healthy and happy

When it comes to imagining food in space, the first thing that’s likely to cross most people’s minds is freeze-dried products like astronaut ice cream. And while preserved foods will inevitably be a part of astronauts’ diets for the foreseeable future, nowadays, there’s an increasing focus on how to…

Automated visual identification of foliage chlorosis in lettuce grown in aquaponic systems

Chlorosis, or leaf yellowing, in crops, is one of the quality issues that primarily occurs due to interference in the production of chlorophyll contents. The primary contributors to inadequate chlorophyll levels are abiotic stresses, such as inadequate environmental conditions (temperature, illumination,…

Murat Kacira, Univ. of Arizona

How do you overcome the environmental challenges of indoor farming?

While some might think that the environmental challenges facing indoor farm growers should be relatively minor and easy to overcome in a closed environment, they’d be wrong. “Some of the challenges and bottlenecks facing indoor farms include insufficient airflow leading to a non-uniform environment,…

© Paulius Beinaravicius | Dreamstime.com

ESA thinks we can grow hydroponic gardens on the moon

The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a project to figure out how to pull valuable nutrients from lunar regolith so that future astronauts can use them in hydroponic gardens. “This work is essential for future long-term lunar exploration,” said Malgorzata Holynska, ESA materials, and processes…

Mauritius: PM Jugnauth launches hydroponics training farm in Mauritius Prison Service

The Prime Minister, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, proceeded with the inauguration of a training farm in aquaponics and hydroponics as well as a solar water drip today at the Mauritius Prison Service (MPS) in Beau Bassin. These aim to facilitate women prisoners’ transition and reintegration from prisons…

Philippines: Pinoy youth build agri-enterprises in support of PBBM admin’s food security agenda

At least 2,955 young Filipinos have availed of the assistance and support for their agribusiness proposals under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Youth Farmers’ Challenge (YFC) in line with the Marcos administration’s food security agenda. The incentive program, which is being supported by Senator…

Plenty

Vertical farming survey to garner insights into the perceptions and preferences of consumers' produce purchases

The Dynamic Sustainability Lab at Syracuse University is leading efforts in researching the transitions to a net-zero carbon economy, which includes exploring new and innovative technologies. One of these technologies being large-scale Indoor Vertical Farming, a mode of controlled-environment…

© Carlos Neto | Dreamstime.com

US (NM): NMSU Extension to use awarded funding on Agricultural Project

NMSU received an award of over $900,000 from the state of New Mexico for agricultural projects in San Juan County because they provided assistance when many communities were negatively impacted by the 2015 Gold King Mine wastewater spill. New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center at…

Researchers develop first nanotube sensors capable of detecting and distinguishing gibberellin plant hormones

This is the first time that nanosensors capable of detecting and distinguishing gibberellins (GAs), a type of plant hormone that regulates plant growth, have been developed and validated in living plants. The nanosensors can be infiltrated into the roots of different living plants to evaluate the plant’s…

via phys.org

Protecting hydroponics from electrochemical hypochlorination damage

Closed loop hydroponics, where nutrient solution drainage is captured and reapplied to the crop, offers advantages over flow-through or single-pass systems by way of water and nutrient resource use efficiency. Increasing resource use efficiency reduces production costs and ultimately prevents…

New LED strategies could make vertical farming more productive and less costly

Purdue University researchers have designed two simple LED lighting strategies to increase yield and reduce energy costs for the vertical farming sector of indoor agriculture. The close-canopy and focused-lighting strategies developed by PhD candidate Fatemeh Sheibani and professor Cary Mitchell, both in…

© Wirestock | Dreamstime.com

US (IA): Marshalltown Learning Academy introduces hydroponic farming curriculum

While the encroaching spring season often brings about a flurry of activity in the agricultural sector after the slow, frosty winter months, students and staff at the Marshalltown Learning Academy (MLA) have already been hard at work over the past several months growing their own fresh produce locally.…

© Chamaiporn Kitina | Dreamstime.com

US (NY): Rep. Velázquez announces expansion of hydroponic farm education at William Cullen Bryant High School

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez introduced herself to some of her younger constituents in her newly redrawn district that now includes a large part of western Queens. Velázquez visited William Cullen Bryant High School in Long Island City on Feb. 17 to announce the expansion of climate and sustainability…

© Pressmaster | Dreamstime.com

Malaysia: School's urban farm project instils discipline in pupils and generates income

A Setapak primary school's out-of-the-box approach to discipline its pupils has succeeded in yielding multiple gains for the educational institution. Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Jalan Ayer Panas' urban farming initiative called Cityfarm has almost completely resolved the school's disciplinary issues, mainly…

Low nitrogen stress promotes root nitrogen uptake and assimilation in strawberry

Low nitrogen stress severely impedes crop growth and productivity. There has been substantial research on root adaptation to low nitrogen conditions in many plant species. However, the mechanism underlying the morphological response of the strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) root to low-NO3− or…

Tilapia and lettuce

$10 million USDA grant to build aquaponic system on Purdue campus

Purdue University has received a five-year, $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase the production of seafood, also known as 'blue food,' which is healthier and more sustainably produced than land-based foods. "Many studies indicate the importance of increasing seafood consumption…

US: ARS continues its labor of love in cacao plant research

There are a few chocolate-centric holidays on the calendar, but none where it’s more traditional than Valentine’s Day. Your fancy may lie with dark, milk, or white chocolate;…

US (NC): Researchers at NCSU are working on a novel way to grow grapes

Most people associate vineyards with serenity and tranquility. To a grower, vineyards can represent the opposite: High establishment costs, labor-intensive management, and deadly disease avoidance over the decades-long lifespan of a vineyard. Researchers at the Department of Horticultural Science at NC…

© Saw San Teo | Dreamstime.com

US (SC): State University launches indoor farming research program

South Carolina State University’s 1890 Research and Extension arm is launching a new controlled environment agriculture program. Brandon Huber, who joined the university in January, will serve as the research scientist focusing on controlled environment agriculture, according to a news release. Huber…

© Neenawat Khenyotha | Dreamstime.com

Growth response of kale and Nile tilapia under saline aqua-sandponics-vegeculture system

Salinity and freshwater scarcity are significant challenges affecting agriculture production worldwide. Sustaining food production in arid and semi-arid regions requires innovative, efficient, and low-cost technologies. Integrated aqua-vegeculture systems (IAVS) are promising technologies for cultivating…

© Brad Calkins | Dreamstime.com

The role of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) and their feasibility in hydroponics and vertical farming

There are many reasons for the increase in hydroponics/soil-free systems in agriculture, and these systems have now advanced to the form of vertical farming. The sustainable use of space, the reduction in water use compared to soil-based agriculture, the lack of pesticides, the ability to control…

© Leisan Rakhimova | Dreamstime.com

US (CO): School gives back to community with Denver's first school-run hydroponic farm

"What'd you learn in school today, honey?" Oh, just how to grow a cucumber. The students at Bruce Randolph School have been learning how to tend to many vegetables and spices as part of their classes inside Denver's first school-run hydroponic farm. "Having a space to do hands-on [learning] is like, very…

© Ambrozinio | Dreamstime.com

Urban agriculture in walkable neighborhoods bore fruit for health and food system resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Urban agriculture is the key to creating healthy cities and developing resilient urban food systems in uncertain times. However, relevant empirical evidence is limited. This…

© Josefkubes | Dreamstime.com

US (IN): Franklin Elementary students learn aquaponics

The third graders of Franklin Elementary recently learned about a sustainable way to grow fruits and vegetables using live fish and fish tanks. The students are studying aquaponics, where fish waste from aquariums provides nutrients/fertilizer for the plants, and in turn, the plants clean the water for…

© Fallsview | Dreamstime.com

Alteration of flower yield and phytochemical compounds of Saffron by application of different light qualities and growth regulators

Saffron is the world’s most coveted spicy plant that has medicinal value. Currently, due to diverse types of difficulties in growing this plant outdoors, the tendency to produce it indoors has been increased. Optimized indoor conditions for growing saffron plants is not fully determined so far. This…

© Duskbabe | Dreamstime.com

Quantitative calculation of the most efficient LED combinations at specific growth stages for basil in indoor horticulture

Indoor farms are a promising way to obtain vegetables in standard quantity and quality. As opposed to previous studies, this study attempts to calculate optimized LED light…

© Photomall | Dreamstime.com

Evaluation of growth responses of lettuce and energy efficiency of the substrate and smart hydroponics cropping system

Smart sensing devices enabled hydroponics, a concept of vertical farming that involves soilless technology that increases green area. Although the cultivation medium is water, hydroponic cultivation uses 13 ± 10 times less water and gives 10 ± 5 times better quality products compared with those obtained…

Photo 119549579 © Saw San Teo | Dreamstime.com

Study:

Tool for sustainability and feasibility assessment of vertical farming with artificial lighting in Africa

In this study, researchers Ivan Paucek, Emanuele Durante, Giuseppina Pennisi, Stefania Quaini, Giorgio Gianquinto andFrancesco Orsini investigates a methodological tool for sustainability and feasibility assessment of vertical farming with artificial lighting in Africa.  Click here to access the study. African…

US (MO): UMSL partnering to grow Center of Excellence in indoor farming

Planning is underway for a Center of Excellence in indoor farming that would be housed on the campus of the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The Yield Lab Institute is leading the efforts to develop the center, expected to reside on the northern part of the UMSL campus, not far from Express Scripts and…

Feeling stressed? Go gardening!

Feeling a bit stressed? Do you need to relax, unwind, or take a break from the day-to-day business? Go gardening, researchers say. Overload and arousal are consistently experienced in modern life,…

The feasibility of growing Euphorbia peplus in a container farm

In a study by Bafort, Kohnen, Maron, Bouhadada, Ancion, Crutzen, and Jijakli, the feasibility of growing Euphorbia peplus in a container farm has been investigated.  Vertical farming is considered a potential solution to increase yield while decreasing resource use and pesticide impacts compared to conventional…

aim of cross-vegetable breeding and disease resistance

Scientists unlock secrets of China’s bak choi

A research team says it has found a way to cross bak choi – also called bok choy – with other vegetables, such as mustard greens.The new technology could lead to cross-species…

After request in September '22

Plenty receives $20 million funding for R&D center from State of Wyoming

Plenty received a $20 million grant from the State of Wyoming through the Wyoming Business Council to the City of Laramie to help with construction and infrastructure costs for their new R&D Center in Laramie, Wyoming. Additional funding, land, and support for the project are being provided by the City…

Euronews

Researchers in Europe turn to microscopic algae 'for answers to our environmental problems'

Every drop of seawater is teeming with microscopic life. Many researchers in Europe believe that one particular kind called microalgae, which is invisible to the human eye, could be the answer to the planet's most pressing challenges, by making agriculture more sustainable and providing greener…

CAN (ON): Student team aims to advance to next phase of Deep Space Food Challenge

Students from the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College are feeling optimistic their entry in the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) Deep Space Food Challenge will advance to Phase 3 of the multi-year contest.  This week, the team met with CSA members in the Controlled Environment Systems Research…

© Josefkubes | Dreamstime.com

Sustainable development in modern aquaponics cultivation systems using IoT technologies

The main problem in developing reliable and economically feasible solutions for aquaponics is combining aquaculture (the farming of fish) and hydroponics (the growing of plants without soil). The purpose of this chapter is to aid in the development of a workable commercial aquaponics system.…

Vertical farming unit for research into crops in controlled environments

The Bleiswijk research location of the Greenhouse Horticulture and Flower Bulbs Business Unit of Wageningen University & Research has its own vertical farming unit. Here WUR investigates how optimal cultivation can be done in controlled areas. In addition, researchers in these cultivation areas can mimic…

Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences

International Zeolite Corp. and Niagara College

MOU signed, formalizing a partnership to help tackle food insecurity

Building on multiple projects and several years of work together, International Zeolite Corp. (IZ) and Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) have announced a formal agreement that will catapult the research relationship to new heights. Along the way, they plan…

LettUs Grow has been selected, among others

UK: Three innovative sustainable food projects to receive funding

A project to convert surplus food into ready meals, a study exploring how vertical farms utilizing controlled agricultural environments could re-localize food production, and…

Photo 18781706 © Vishakha Shah | Dreamstime.com

Philippines: Two universities eye vertical farms 'to solve onion scarcity'

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and two universities — Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) and Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) — have forged a research partnership to boost the onion supply in the country. The rains in recent weeks have affected onion farmers, so…

US (NJ): Princeton High School students competing for nationwide STEM award with saltwater aquaponics entry

Princeton High School has been named one of eight finalists statewide in the 13th annual Samsung Electronics America’s national “Solve for Tomorrow” STEM competition. The high…

US (MI): Negaunee High School brings hydroponic greens to the lunchroom

A Marquette County high school has been awarded a $5,000 grant that will help bring more fresh food into the lunchroom. The grant comes from a health endowment fund by the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Services Agency. Negaunee High School Environmental Science Teacher Todd Backlund says the grant…

Art Carrillo/Carrillo Photo

US (IL): Urban Farming Certificate prepares students for expanding industry

Using a hands-on approach in the practice of raising food in urban and suburban areas, College of DuPage students now can work alongside industry professionals in an urban farm setting as part of the College’s new Urban Farming certificate program. “Urban agriculture is a large movement across the…

© Wirestock | Dreamstime.com

Gradually increasing light intensity during the growth period increases dry weight production in lettuce

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of gradually increasing or decreasing photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) during cultivation compared to a constant PPFD on biomass production. Lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L. ‘Expertise’) were grown in climate rooms in which every…

Canada: The importance of educating kids on indoor ag

"Most people don't know much about vertical farming, which can lead to a lack of understanding of the benefits and risks associated with vertical farms and therefore causes resistance to adoption. Education is essential in order for Little Greenhouse That Could to be successful in creating its vision,"…

© Pressmaster | Dreamstime.com

Plant beneficial bacteria and their potential applications in vertical farming systems

In this literature review, we discuss the various functions of beneficial plant bacteria in improving plant nutrition, the defense against biotic and abiotic stress, and hormonal regulation. We also review the recent research on rhizophagy, a nutrient-scavenging mechanism in which bacteria enter and exit…

Rahul Vijayan via houstonchronicle.com

US (TX): Shadow Creek High student hosting panel discussion on hydroponic farming

A Pearland teenager who believes in healthy eating is on a mission to accelerate the use of hydroponic farming in schools, including through a $22,000 growing system he secured in grant money for Shadow Creek High School, where he is a junior. Rahul Vijayan, 16, will host a symposium, "Future of…

Novagric:

Passive sunning: Maximizing the efficiency of intelligent light and water

NOVAGRIC, in collaboration with Tecnalia, has developed an innovation project that solves the critical points of vertical agriculture, increasing the profitability of this type of installation. The project, supported and financed by the CDTI (Center for the Development of Industrial Technology) and the…

Paper examining the impact of light spectra on vertical farming

Following the publication of a paper, further research will seek to optimize growing conditions, cutting power use and increasing productivity  Vertical Future announces the publication of a study investigating the impact of light spectra on vertical farming in the horticulture journal HortScience, co-authored…

© Annapustynnikova | Dreamstime.com

IoT-based monitoring system for control of heavy metals to ensure optimal lettuce growth in hydroponic set-ups

Heavy metal concentrations that must be maintained in aquaponic environments for plant growth have been a source of concern for many decades, as they cannot be completely eliminated in a commercial set-up. Our goal was to create a low-cost real-time smart sensing and actuation system for controlling…

US (GA): Kennesaw State-based mushroom farming business takes honors at innovation challenge

A business founded by researchers at Kennesaw State University to improve the process of growing specialty mushrooms won the People’s Choice Award and finished among four finalists at the Ag Innovation Challenge sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). (in the picture: Chris Cornelison)…

VerticalFarmDaily.com

Ready-to-implement expertise from researchers by training, growers at heart

Delphy conducting commercial-type research for easy implementation

"Our mission is to help vertical farms and the sector to make crop production processes more efficient and profitable. In addition to the harvest outcome of the cultivation strategy, we investigate the energy consumption of it and how the farm design influences that as well. We approach VF crop…

© Saw San Teo | Dreamstime.com

Influence of day and night temperature on growth, quality, and economics of butterhead and oakleaf lettuce production

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is among the most consumed vegetables worldwide and is primarily field-grown; however, indoor agriculture enables year-round, precise production. Through precise manipulation of the mean daily temperature (MDT) and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), crop color,…

ID 132091533 © Scharfsinn86 | Dreamstime.com

Pakistan: Aquaponic farm management system introduced

"The aquaponics management system is a key technology developed and demonstrated by Pakistani scientists for farmers to manage their farms. Farmers can also apply the system to existing fish and hydroponic farms for organic fish, vegetable, and fruit production," said Dr. Nosherwan Shoaib while talking…

VerticalFarmDaily.com

Free whitepaper available

Basic guidelines on how to communicate about strawberry yield

"All we can hear when talking about CEA is all the amazing technology we use to measure basically everything with countless data points per millisecond," Olivier Paulus, Co-founder of Vertiberry, a Belgian agtech based in Brussels.  "Of what's been shared online, yield and energy input data mostly seem to…

US (FL): Construction started on site that will focus on ag education

Work has begun to clear the area where the Treasure Coast Agriplex and Martin County Fair will be located. Once complete, the site will bring several acres of agriculture…

VerticalFarmDaily.com

Far-red light during cultivation improves post-harvest chilling tolerance in basil

A new study by Dorthe H.Larsen, Leo F.M. Marcelis, Diederick van Kempen, Wouter Kohlen, Celine C.S. Nicole, and Ernst J. Wolteringae showed that Far-red light during cultivation improves post-harvest chilling tolerance in basil.  AbstractBasil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a temperature-sensitive plant and suffers…

Penn State University

US (PA): Student Farm offers engagement opportunities across campus

As a new growing season approaches, the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm prepares for another year of supporting the campus food system. While the farm can produce over 16,000 pounds of produce each year, there is more to the four-acre farm than sustainable vegetable production. The farm collaborates…

NL: Five elementary school add growing towers to their portfolio

At the initiative of the 'Learning to Eat Young Groningen' incentive program, five primary schools in the province will start growing vertical with Tower Garden for a year…

US: AeroFarms launches nine 'community farms' providing fresh food for students

AeroFarms announced the expansion of its Community Farm program to bring year-round access to fresh and nutritious leafy greens to local settings like schools, corporate cafeterias, and community centers. This expansion of nine new farms addresses increased demand from customers for small indoor farming…

Guelph University

US: Guelph researcher introduces energy-saving water pump

Pump technology developed by a University of Guelph researcher may help save almost half of the energy used for irrigation by Canada’s growing number of indoor farms, including greenhouses, vertical farms, and hydroponics facilities. Dr. Wael Ahmed, a professor in the School of Engineering within the…

UK: Vertically Urban and LettUs Grow partner with University of York

Horticultural lighting experts, Vertically Urban, and aeroponic farming company LettUs Grow, have been collaborating to boost the research capabilities of an award-winning vertical farm in York. Known as 'Grow it York,' the facility is home to a research team headed by Professor Katherine Denby from the…

Role of spectrum light on the productivity and plant quality in vertical farms

In the following study, the role of spectrum light on the productivity and plant quality in vertical farms is researched. The growing demands for food with high-quality standards and high nutritional value have caused agriculture to evolve towards agricultural innovation, go hand in hand with…

Gabriel Sigmund

From the road to the plate: lettuce takes up toxic additives from tire wear

Chemicals from tire wear could get into our vegetables via sewage sludge and wastewater. Wind, sewage sludge, and wastewater carry tire wear particles from roads onto farmland. A new lab study shows: The pollutants contained in the particles could get into the vegetables grown there. Researchers at the…

UK: Initial study suggests promising future for Aeroponic Rolling Benches

The integration of aeroponics into large-scale CEA spaces is a step closer to commercialization, following the first stage of a feasibility study funded by Defra and UKRI. The 21-month project is led by LettUs Grow Ltd, supported by Agri-Tech Innovation Centre, Crop Health and Protection (CHAP), and…

Design and simulations of a self-assembling autonomous vertical farm for urban farming

Vertical farming has been proposed as a solution for diminishing arable land as it significantly reduces the footprint of farming. Most contemporary solutions use a low level of automation; however, automation of vertical farming is currently attracting attention from researchers. This paper introduces a…

© Reika7 | Dreamstime.com

AU: Flinders University researchers proceed with algae propagation project

An algae propagation project at Flinders University has hit a significant milestone in breeding a marine organism from scratch in the lab to support the expansion of a seaweed farm in Western Australia. The Flinders University research project with industry leader SeaStock is working on a technique to…

First complete structures of plant respiratory proteins

Back-to-back papers in the December 29 issue of Nature Plants report the first complete protein structures for plant respiratory supercomplex I+III2. Obtaining these structures helps researchers understand basic plant biology, as well as stress responses and how biofuel crops might grow more rapidly.…

Response of strawberry to the substitution of blue light with green light in a vertical farming system

Indoor production systems with light-emitting diode (LED) lamps are a feasible alternative for increasing strawberry productivity by reducing the incidence of pests and diseases and the damage caused by extreme weather events. Blue (BL) and red (RL) LED light are considered the most important light…

eastendbeacon.com

US (NY): Stony Brook program seeks to train new farmers

Stony Brook University is introducing a new piece into the local food ecosystem here in 2023, with the launch of a new Small Scale Farming Program this month at the university’s Southampton campus. Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz, who was instrumental in getting school garden programs off the ground on the East…

Russia: Scientists to help harvest microgreens year-round through the use of low-cost vertical farms

Scientists of the Siberian Federal University have offered ways to improve the technology for growing various crops in vertical hydroponic farms. The software has been developed to help carry out continuous monitoring of plant life in a city farm, as well as a neural network responsible for detecting…


Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber