Controlled Environment Agriculture - Purdue University...• Melons • Sweet corn Commonly grown...
Transcript of Controlled Environment Agriculture - Purdue University...• Melons • Sweet corn Commonly grown...
Controlled Environment Agriculture
Dr. Krishna NemaliAssistant Professor, Controlled Environment Agriculture
Horticulture and Landscape ArchitecturePurdue University
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)• integrates both science- and engineering-based approaches• involves growing vegetable crops under managed environments• improves productivity and optimizes resource use
CEA plays an important role in the ‘local food movement’
• Freshness• Safety• Improves local economy• Availability of unique varieties• Knowing where your food is
coming from!
Gothamgreens.com
Smithonian.org
• Lettuce• Basil• Spinach• Microgreens• Tomatoes• Peppers• Melons• Sweet corn
Commonly grown vegetables in controlled environment agriculture
Common platforms in controlled environment agriculture
AeroFarms.comGothamgreens.com
Horizontal-greenhouse style
Vertical-warehouse style
Fertilizer solution
1 ‘ Gully or channel
Thin nutrient film
• Roots receive oxygen, water and nutrients• Water and nutrients recirculated
Hydroponics
Flow= 1 L/min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kUm_I7bLYw
Hydroponics video
Fertilizer solution
Flood and drain system
• Soilless media is used in containers• Water is not supplied continuously
Source: Alberta Agric. & Rural Development, 2013
CEA is an intensive farming system where input costs are high
Sub-irrigation bench
Low EC Moderate EC High EC
Spectral reflectance sensor
Infra-red sensor
Boom
Camera
Image processing
16
Lamp Heat Lamp
Automation & Control
Monitoring input use using sensors in CEA
Cameras monitor how crops are growing
y = 2E-10x2 + 2E-05xR² = 0.9991
0
5
10
15
20
25
0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000
Dry
wei
ght
Pixel area
Dr. Cary Mitchell(NASA-CEA)
Dr. Krishna Nemali(CEA-Advanced sensing technologies)
Dr. Petrus Langenhoven(Hydroponics/High tunnels)
Dr. Hye-Ji Kim(Aquaponics)
Dr. Wenjing Guan(High tunnels)
Dr. Steve Hallett (Sustainable farming systems)
Controlled Environment Agriculture is a signature area of research in the Dept. Horticulture and Landscape Architecture