Articles
Strawberry cultivation in vertical towers: a simulation study
Article number
1465_33
Pages
213 – 220
Language
English
Abstract
Strawberry cultivation in soilless controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems is becoming a common procedure to extend production in time and space.
Generally, strawberries in CEA systems are grown on horizontal single NDASH or multi-layer gutters.
However, these systems are not space efficient.
On the other hand, the use of the vertical towers (VT) system is increasing since it maximises space usage by producing vertically.
While VT systems are well-studied for leafy vegetables, little is known about their impact on strawberry growth and productivity.
In fact, little is known about vertical microclimate differences and how that affects the crop in terms of physiological traits or evapotranspiration.
This, however, are important variables determining and optimizing resource use efficiency, for which key-information is missing.
In this paper, we employed a virtual CEA simulator for scenario simulations to optimally designing VT installation setups in strawberry.
We studied different VT setups and analyzed the differences of light distribution, airflow, temperature, and humidity on plant physiological traits and evapotranspiration.
Results indicate that the VT setup highly influences light distribution, airflow movements, temperature, and humidity.
Moreover, microclimate variation through the different VT levels is highly affected by the type of VT setup used, e.g., different single VT or combined VT. Our results also show a direct effect on crop evapotranspiration and, hence, on resource use efficiency, which also highly influences strawberry fruit production.
In conclusion, our study underscores the necessity of conducting thorough simulations before VT system installation.
Factors such as VT density, height, plant number, and microclimate variation throughout the production area should be carefully considered.
This study provides a baseline for improving microclimate control and management in VT for strawberry fruit production and highlights the importance of meticulous planning in this process to improve resource and space use efficiency.
Generally, strawberries in CEA systems are grown on horizontal single NDASH or multi-layer gutters.
However, these systems are not space efficient.
On the other hand, the use of the vertical towers (VT) system is increasing since it maximises space usage by producing vertically.
While VT systems are well-studied for leafy vegetables, little is known about their impact on strawberry growth and productivity.
In fact, little is known about vertical microclimate differences and how that affects the crop in terms of physiological traits or evapotranspiration.
This, however, are important variables determining and optimizing resource use efficiency, for which key-information is missing.
In this paper, we employed a virtual CEA simulator for scenario simulations to optimally designing VT installation setups in strawberry.
We studied different VT setups and analyzed the differences of light distribution, airflow, temperature, and humidity on plant physiological traits and evapotranspiration.
Results indicate that the VT setup highly influences light distribution, airflow movements, temperature, and humidity.
Moreover, microclimate variation through the different VT levels is highly affected by the type of VT setup used, e.g., different single VT or combined VT. Our results also show a direct effect on crop evapotranspiration and, hence, on resource use efficiency, which also highly influences strawberry fruit production.
In conclusion, our study underscores the necessity of conducting thorough simulations before VT system installation.
Factors such as VT density, height, plant number, and microclimate variation throughout the production area should be carefully considered.
This study provides a baseline for improving microclimate control and management in VT for strawberry fruit production and highlights the importance of meticulous planning in this process to improve resource and space use efficiency.
Publication
Authors
G.C. Modarelli, Y. Di, O. Körner
Keywords
soilless system, evapotranspiration, modeling
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
- Division Sustaining Horticulture in a Changing World
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
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