Articles
A predictive model of transpiration and ion concentration in recirculating nutrient solution for closed hydroponic vertical farming on greenhouse
Article number
1425_8
Pages
55 – 62
Language
English
Abstract
Efficient use of water and fertilizers is increasingly necessary in crop production systems.
Multiple problems worldwide related to the depletion of natural resources and food safety are directly or indirectly associated with waste and inadequate use of water and nutrients on farm management.
Closed-loop hydroponic vertical farming on greenhouse can reduce the use up to 95% of water needs, arable land surface, 50% of fertilizers and produce food with higher yield and quality.
Hence, a predictive model based on water and nutrient requirements of the crops was developed.
The predictive model proposed (PM) comprises one water demand (WD) and nutrient demand (ND) modules.
WD module is based on the Penman-Monteith equation modified to estimate hourly crop transpiration, from climatic parameters and greenhouse’s features, as well as characteristics of vertical system.
ND module is derived from Sonneveld and Carmassi’s submodel, relating to the ion concentration changes in recirculating nutrient solution (NS) produced by salinity phenomena.
This module is feeding from WD module, from irrigation water quality, from composition of fertigation solutions (FS) and from crop’s uptake concentration.
The PM was proved for lettuce crop in a greenhouse close to Mediterranean sea coast along 2023 spring season.
The model outputs allow to project water and nutrient consumption with hourly frequency.
At the same time is possible to estimate the real uptake concentration of nutritive ions together with an ideal nutrient solution for the crop of lettuce in a closed-loop vertical hydroponic farm system in a greenhouse.
Multiple problems worldwide related to the depletion of natural resources and food safety are directly or indirectly associated with waste and inadequate use of water and nutrients on farm management.
Closed-loop hydroponic vertical farming on greenhouse can reduce the use up to 95% of water needs, arable land surface, 50% of fertilizers and produce food with higher yield and quality.
Hence, a predictive model based on water and nutrient requirements of the crops was developed.
The predictive model proposed (PM) comprises one water demand (WD) and nutrient demand (ND) modules.
WD module is based on the Penman-Monteith equation modified to estimate hourly crop transpiration, from climatic parameters and greenhouse’s features, as well as characteristics of vertical system.
ND module is derived from Sonneveld and Carmassi’s submodel, relating to the ion concentration changes in recirculating nutrient solution (NS) produced by salinity phenomena.
This module is feeding from WD module, from irrigation water quality, from composition of fertigation solutions (FS) and from crop’s uptake concentration.
The PM was proved for lettuce crop in a greenhouse close to Mediterranean sea coast along 2023 spring season.
The model outputs allow to project water and nutrient consumption with hourly frequency.
At the same time is possible to estimate the real uptake concentration of nutritive ions together with an ideal nutrient solution for the crop of lettuce in a closed-loop vertical hydroponic farm system in a greenhouse.
Authors
M.F. López, M.F. Quintero, M.L. Guerrero, C.A. González, C. Borgovan, J.M. Guzmán
Keywords
vertical crops, soilless culture, protected crops, horticulture, closed-loop hydroponics, Penman-Monteith equation, nutrient uptake
Groups involved
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Working Group Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
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