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Instant Insights: Controlled environment agriculture

Code: 9781835452547
Publication Date: 22/04/2025

Contributions by: Ying Liu, Paul Kusuma and Leo F. M. Marcelis, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands; Michael Martin, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden; and Francesco Orsini, University of Bologna, Italy; Nazim S. Gruda, University of Bonn, Germany; Josef Tanny, Agricultural Research Organization – Volcani Center, Israel; James E. Faust, Clemson University, USA

Description

This book features five peer-reviewed reviews on controlled environment agriculture.

The first chapter summarises rapid improvements in the technology used for plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs), including developments in automation, lighting, climate control, sensors and algorithms.

The second chapter briefly discusses the sustainability of indoor vertical farms (IVF) and details best practices for conducting an environmental sustainability assessment of IVFs using the life cycle assessment methodology.

The third chapter reviews the advent of soilless culture systems (SCSs) and their role in supporting the transition to a more sustainable agriculture. The chapter considers the range and variety of horticultural crops which can be grown in SCSs.

The fourth chapter details recent advances in screenhouse design for protected cultivation and describes the common types of structures and materials used by growers. The chapter also addresses whether increasing water-use efficiency in screenhouses is possible.

The final chapter provides an overview of the ornamentals industry and the technological advances improving its efficiency and sustainability, such as the implementation of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems to manipulate plant growth and development.

Key Features

  • Provides a detailed overview of the recent advances in controlled environment agriculture
  • Reviews the sustainability of controlled environment agriculture
  • Summarises recent developments in controlled environment technologies, including lighting and climate control

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Table of Contents

  • Chapter 1 - Research and technology in plant factories with artificial lighting: past, present and future: Ying Liu, Paul Kusuma and Leo F. M. Marcelis, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Architecture and automation
    • 3 Lighting
    • 4 Climate control
    • 5 Sensors and algorithms
    • 6 Rootzone
    • 7 Genetics and plant breeding
    • 8 Conclusion
    • 9 Where to look for further information
    • 10 References
  • Chapter 2 - Life cycle assessment of indoor vertical farms: Michael Martin, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden; and Francesco Orsini, University of Bologna, Italy;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Life cycle assessment and its application in indoor vertical farms
    • 3 Strengths and limits of life cycle assessments for indoor vertical farms
    • 4 Insights from life cycle assessments of indoor vertical farms
    • 5 Life cycle management and increasing transparency
    • 6 Conclusion and future trends in research
    • 7 Where to look for further information
    • 8 Acknowledgements
    • 9 References
  • Chapter 3 - Soilless culture systems and growing media in horticulture: an overview: Nazim S. Gruda, University of Bonn, Germany;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Historical overview
    • 3 Why soilless culture systems?
    • 4 Range of soilless crops, cultivation places and purposes
    • 5 State-of-the-art: what does this book offer?
    • 6 Conclusions and future trends
    • 7 Where to look for further information
    • 8 References
  • Chapter 4 - Advances in screenhouse design and practice for protected cultivation: Josef Tanny, Agricultural Research Organization – Volcani Center, Israel;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Structures and screen materials
    • 3 Microclimate under screens
    • 4 Crop evapotranspiration
    • 5 Water-use efficiency
    • 6 Product quality
    • 7 Future trends and conclusion
    • 8 References
  • Chapter 5 - Advances in protected cultivation of ornamentals: James E. Faust, Clemson University, USA;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems
    • 3 Manipulation of plant growth and development
    • 4 Sustainable practices and renewable inputs
    • 5 Case study: Propagation of ornamentals in a vertical propagation area
    • 6 Conclusion and future trends
    • 7 Where to look for further information
    • 8 References

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