Qualifica: Researcher vertical farming and advanced cultivation systems
Istituzione/Azienda: Wageningen University and Research, Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture and Flower Bulbs
Sessione di intervento
Genetica e selezioni varietali per il vertical farming
Intervento
From genetic selection to environmental selection: the importance of indoor microclimate
Abstract
In indoor cultivation systems, the accurate management of the growth conditions enable a precise control of plant production and quality. It is thus possible to partially shift from a genetic selection to an environmental modifications in order to achieve highly productive cultivation systems. The aboveground environment plays an important role in steering plant production. This is created by the interactions between crop and climate intended as the sum of light, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration and air movement. These interactions can be found in close proximity to the crop and generate a slightly different environmental condition what is known as microclimate.
The microclimate can differ from the climate a few meters away from the crop based on factors such as crop type as well as the climatization system of the growing facility. In experiments run at different indoor facilities, same climate setpoints resulted in different microclimate realization and finally in a different production and quality of basil and lettuce. The microclimate is therefore what the crop experiences and reacts to and the understanding and ability to control it will lead to the optimization of indoor plant production.
