Articles
Nutritionally sensitive precision agriculture: biodiversity and high-value production
Article number
1423_30
Pages
227 – 234
Language
English
Abstract
Vertical farming presents a promising solution to the challenges of traditional agriculture, such as land, water, and resource use efficiency.
It can help meet the increasing global demand for food and allow the creation of cultivation methods for miscellaneous, value-added crops.
However, it also poses challenges to the biodiversity of vertical farming production.
The controlled environment, high degree of mechanization, and costs required for vertical farm operation can restrict the diversity of cultivated plant species.
Nevertheless, the introduction of new plant species to vertical farming may be a promising tool for creating a profitability risk management strategy and a cost-effective way of developing a resilient agricultural cropping system.
Moreover, vertical farming can still contribute to providing richness in different phytochemicals and minerals.
Therefore, this study aimed to create research-result-based growing media and lighting application strategies for improving phytochemical value in underutilized leafy vegetable species (Chrysanthemum coronarium, Barbarea verna, Salsola kamarovii), herbs (Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Mentha piperita, etc.), or medicinal plants (Artemisia dracunuclus, Atropa belladonna, Hypericum perforatum, etc.) for high-end production in closed-environment horticulture systems.
Plants were cultivated in controlled environmental conditions under artificial light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in deep-water culture (DWC) hydroponic systems.
Indices of nutritional/medicinal value, plant productivity, and organoleptic properties were evaluated and compared between species.
Summarizing, the inclusion of tested plant species in the portfolio of vertical farming production can be attributed to the multifunctionality of those species, their acceptability by consumers, distinctive nutritional and phytochemical value, and taste.
It can help meet the increasing global demand for food and allow the creation of cultivation methods for miscellaneous, value-added crops.
However, it also poses challenges to the biodiversity of vertical farming production.
The controlled environment, high degree of mechanization, and costs required for vertical farm operation can restrict the diversity of cultivated plant species.
Nevertheless, the introduction of new plant species to vertical farming may be a promising tool for creating a profitability risk management strategy and a cost-effective way of developing a resilient agricultural cropping system.
Moreover, vertical farming can still contribute to providing richness in different phytochemicals and minerals.
Therefore, this study aimed to create research-result-based growing media and lighting application strategies for improving phytochemical value in underutilized leafy vegetable species (Chrysanthemum coronarium, Barbarea verna, Salsola kamarovii), herbs (Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Mentha piperita, etc.), or medicinal plants (Artemisia dracunuclus, Atropa belladonna, Hypericum perforatum, etc.) for high-end production in closed-environment horticulture systems.
Plants were cultivated in controlled environmental conditions under artificial light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in deep-water culture (DWC) hydroponic systems.
Indices of nutritional/medicinal value, plant productivity, and organoleptic properties were evaluated and compared between species.
Summarizing, the inclusion of tested plant species in the portfolio of vertical farming production can be attributed to the multifunctionality of those species, their acceptability by consumers, distinctive nutritional and phytochemical value, and taste.
Authors
G. Samuolienė, K. Lauikė, I. Gudinskaitė, A. Pukalskas, A. Virilė
Keywords
medicinal plants, herbs, underutilized leafy vegetables, phytochemicals, controlled environment agriculture, artificial lighting, hydroponics
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