Articles
Low-requirement plants for energy savings in indoor vertical gardening systems
Article number
1441_11
Pages
81 – 88
Language
English
Abstract
Vertical gardening has environmental impacts associated with both its establishment and its subsequent use.
This impact can be reduced by using plants with low environmental requirements, both at the production and maintenance levels.
To this end, species were selected that can be produced in undemanding conditions, particularly in unheated greenhouses in temperate zones, and their speed of surface covering and adaptation to low lighting conditions were tested.
Based on the first criterion, 10 species were selected: Ajuga reptans, Brachyscome angustifolia, Coprosma × kirkii, Felicia amelloides, Hedera helix, Lavandula angustifolia, Phlox subulata, Pelargonium peltatum, Sedum rupestre and Sedum spurium. With them, a test was carried out under controlled conditions in phytotron using a recirculating hydroponic system consisting of trays filled with expanded clay with 12 plants per tray spaced 12 cm and 3 repetitions per species.
In a first phase, the growth and coverage of the plants was measured in good lighting conditions (3000 lx), followed by two phases with progressive reduction of light to 900 and 500 lx; each of the phases lasted approximately 3 months.
The coverage of the surface by the plants was measured by image analysis.
In the phases of light reduction, the length of internodes and the chlorophyll content were measured (when possible) and a visual evaluation of the growth habit, ornamental value and the incidence of pests and diseases was also carried out. Ajuga and Pelargonium were the species that achieved a coverage of 80% in the shortest time, followed by Sedum rupestre, while Brachyscome, Coprosma and Phlox were the slowest to cover.
The reduction of light to 900 and especially to 500 lx resulted in changes of growth habit and increased the incidence of fungal diseases and attacks by aphids and whiteflies.
This impact can be reduced by using plants with low environmental requirements, both at the production and maintenance levels.
To this end, species were selected that can be produced in undemanding conditions, particularly in unheated greenhouses in temperate zones, and their speed of surface covering and adaptation to low lighting conditions were tested.
Based on the first criterion, 10 species were selected: Ajuga reptans, Brachyscome angustifolia, Coprosma × kirkii, Felicia amelloides, Hedera helix, Lavandula angustifolia, Phlox subulata, Pelargonium peltatum, Sedum rupestre and Sedum spurium. With them, a test was carried out under controlled conditions in phytotron using a recirculating hydroponic system consisting of trays filled with expanded clay with 12 plants per tray spaced 12 cm and 3 repetitions per species.
In a first phase, the growth and coverage of the plants was measured in good lighting conditions (3000 lx), followed by two phases with progressive reduction of light to 900 and 500 lx; each of the phases lasted approximately 3 months.
The coverage of the surface by the plants was measured by image analysis.
In the phases of light reduction, the length of internodes and the chlorophyll content were measured (when possible) and a visual evaluation of the growth habit, ornamental value and the incidence of pests and diseases was also carried out. Ajuga and Pelargonium were the species that achieved a coverage of 80% in the shortest time, followed by Sedum rupestre, while Brachyscome, Coprosma and Phlox were the slowest to cover.
The reduction of light to 900 and especially to 500 lx resulted in changes of growth habit and increased the incidence of fungal diseases and attacks by aphids and whiteflies.
Publication
Authors
M.I. Iglesias-Díaz, A. López-Fabal, S. Lamosa-Quinteiro, N. López-López, F. Lago-Pena, P. García-López
Keywords
light, hydroponics, coverage, chlorophyll content, image analysis
Groups involved
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Working Group Vertical Farming
- Working Group Urban Horticulture
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