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Development of a Cylindrical Hydroponics System for Vertical Farming



Author(s)

Chow Kheong Keat¹ and Chithrameenal Kannan²

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DOI:10.17265/2161-6264/2015.02B.003

1. School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, 599489, Singapore
2. Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, India

The study aimed to develop a vertical crop cultivation system for leafy plants based on cylindrical hydroponics and light emitting diode (LED) technology. Investigations were conducted on growing lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. “Rex”, “Nanda” and “Canasta”) indoors in a rotary system and Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) in a multi-tier cylindrical hydroponics system under red and blue (RB) LED lightings. Light intensity from different light sources have an influence on the yield and growth behaviour of indoor lettuce. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels at 63 µmol/m²·s produced low fresh weights (FW) and leaf areas of lettuce “Rex” and “Nanda” were grown under rotating conditions. The effect was, however, different on the better developed “Canasta”. Stem etiolation was a common occurrence under such influence. Chlorosis was not observed on all plant types grown under the LEDs. Cultivating Chinese cabbage plants (FW: 28 g/plant) in cylindrical units stacked vertically above another, increased planting density by 47% when compared to the rotary system.

Chinese cabbage, cylindrical hydroponic system, LED lights, lettuce, rotary system, vertical farming.