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

该项目将整合CESRF受控环境植物生产专业知识，通过应用被称为“GravityFlow”系统(Intravision Light Systems Inc.)的高密度模块化植物生产硬件来推进垂直农业技术。它将对蛋白质和纤维(菜豆)和沙拉(罗曼)商品的产量和质量进行详细评估。通过部署精确控制的环境条件，特别是光照质量和营养管理，我们将能够确定这些变量对营养成分的影响，以及影响这些植物的味道、营养成分(例如蛋白质、维生素、纤维、碳水化合物)和其他理想属性的次生代谢物的命运。光合作用光谱质量与矿质养分的吸收和代谢之间的相互作用尚未确定，尽管这些相互作用具有深远的影响。该项目将在理解控制环境农业(室内农业)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，确保根区环境针对这些植物生产系统进行优化。在不同程度上，所有CEA作物在构成“最佳”生产环境的一套相互作用和动态的环境变量方面都是独一无二的。这些都是该项目旨在应对的科学、技术和市场挑战。开发所需的知识和数据以生产满足CEA业务所确定的市场需求的一系列环境修饰生物体(EMO)是推动该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.