Optimization production parameters and nutritional composition of select food crops produced under controlled environment, high density, continuous production

该项目将全面整合CESRF的受控环境植物生产专业知识，通过应用高密度模块化植物生产硬件，称为“GravityFlow”系统（visision Light Systems Inc.），推进垂直农业技术。它将提供蛋白质和纤维（灌木豆）以及沙拉（长叶莴苣）商品的生产和质量的详细评估。通过部署精确控制的环境条件，特别是光质量和营养管理，我们将能够确定这些变量对营养成分的影响，以及影响这些植物味道、营养成分（如蛋白质、维生素、纤维、碳水化合物）和其他理想属性的次级代谢物的命运。光合光谱质量与矿物营养物质的摄取和代谢之间的相互作用尚未确定，尽管这些相互作用存在着深刻的影响。这个项目将在了解受控环境农业（室内农业）中高密度植物生产系统管理中的关键环境变量方面取得重大进展。除了开发和完善环境控制协议外，我们还将利用我们在灌溉水质管理方面的广泛背景，确保这些植物生产系统的根区环境得到优化。在不同程度上，所有CEA作物在构成“最佳”生产环境的一系列相互作用和动态环境变量方面都是独特的。这些都是该项目旨在解决的科学、技术和市场挑战。开发所需的知识和数据，以生产一系列环境改性生物（emo），以满足CEA操作的确定市场需求，这是推动本项目研究和技术转让目标的主要问题。

This project will integrate the full spectrum of the CESRF's controlled environment plant production expertise to advance the technology of vertical farming through the application of high density modular plant production hardware dubbed the "GravityFlow" system (Intravision Light Systems Inc.). It will provide a detailed assessment of production and quality of both a protein and fibre (bush bean) and a salad (romaine) commodity. By deploying precisely controlled environment conditions, especially light quality and nutrient management, we will be able to determine the effects of these variables on nutritional composition and the fate of secondary metabolites affecting taste, nutrient composition (e.g. protein, vitamins, fibre, carbohydrates) and other desirable attributes of these plants. The interactions between the photosynthetic spectral quality and the uptake and metabolism of mineral nutrients have yet to be determined, despite the profound influence that these interactions present. This project will represent a significant advance in understanding the critical environment variables in the management of high density plant production systems in controlled environment agriculture (indoor farming). In addition to developing and refining environment control protocols, we will also leverage our extensive background in irrigation water quality management to ensure that the root zone environment is optimized for these plant production systems. To varying degrees, all CEA crops are unique in terms of the suite of interacting and dynamic environment variables that make up the "optimal" production environment. These are the scientific, technical and market challenges that this project has been designed to address. Developing the knowledge and data required to produce a range of environmentally modified organisms (EMOs) that meet the identified market needs of CEA operations are the primary issues driving the research and technology transfer objectives of this project.