Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
University of Guelph
$190,317.00
Optimization production parameters and nutritional composition of select food crops produced under controlled environment, high density, continuous production
FY 2019-20
Summary
This project will integrate the full spectrum of the CESRF's controlled environment plant production expertise to advance the technology of vertical farming through the application of high density modular plant production hardware dubbed the ""GravityFlow"" system (Intravision Light Systems Inc.). It will provide a detailed assessment of production and quality of both a protein and fibre (bush bean) and a salad (romaine) commodity. By deploying precisely controlled environment conditions, especially light quality and nutrient management, we will be able to determine the effects of these variables on nutritional composition and the fate of secondary metabolites affecting taste, nutrient composition (e.g. protein, vitamins, fibre, carbohydrates) and other desirable attributes of these plants. The interactions between the photosynthetic spectral quality and the uptake and metabolism of mineral nutrients have yet to be determined, despite the profound influence that these interactions present. This project will represent a significant advance in understanding the critical environment variables in the management of high density plant production systems in controlled environment agriculture (indoor farming). In addition to developing and refining environment control protocols, we will also leverage our extensive background in irrigation water quality management to ensure that the root zone environment is optimized for these plant production systems. To varying degrees, all CEA crops are unique in terms of the suite of interacting and dynamic environment variables that make up the ""optimal"" production environment. These are the scientific, technical and market challenges that this project has been designed to address. Developing the knowledge and data required to produce a range of environmentally modified organisms (EMOs) that meet the identified market needs of CEA operations are the primary issues driving the research and technology transfer objectives of this project.
Program
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
528051-2018
Name nom
Dixon, Michael
Department département
Environmental Sciences, School of
Organization id
24
Institution établissement
University of Guelph
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2019
Competition year année de concours
2018
Award amount
190317
Program id
CRDPJ
Program name en
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
100
Area of application group en
Agriculture and primary food production
Area of application group fr
Agriculture et produits alimentaires primaires
Area of application en
Agriculture and primary food production
Area of application fr
Agriculture et produits alimentaires primaires
Research subject code
6100
Research subject group en
Food science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie de l'alimentation
Research subject en
Food science and technology
Research subject fr
Science et technologie de l'alimentation
Installment
inst:2 - 2
Partie
2
Nb partie
2
Application title
Optimization production parameters and nutritional composition of select food crops produced under controlled environment, high density, continuous production
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
This project will integrate the full spectrum of the CESRF's controlled environment plant production expertise to advance the technology of vertical farming through the application of high density modular plant production hardware dubbed the ""GravityFlow"" system (Intravision Light Systems Inc.). It will provide a detailed assessment of production and quality of both a protein and fibre (bush bean) and a salad (romaine) commodity. By deploying precisely controlled environment conditions, especially light quality and nutrient management, we will be able to determine the effects of these variables on nutritional composition and the fate of secondary metabolites affecting taste, nutrient composition (e.g. protein, vitamins, fibre, carbohydrates) and other desirable attributes of these plants. The interactions between the photosynthetic spectral quality and the uptake and metabolism of mineral nutrients have yet to be determined, despite the profound influence that these interactions present. This project will represent a significant advance in understanding the critical environment variables in the management of high density plant production systems in controlled environment agriculture (indoor farming). In addition to developing and refining environment control protocols, we will also leverage our extensive background in irrigation water quality management to ensure that the root zone environment is optimized for these plant production systems. To varying degrees, all CEA crops are unique in terms of the suite of interacting and dynamic environment variables that make up the ""optimal"" production environment. These are the scientific, technical and market challenges that this project has been designed to address. Developing the knowledge and data required to produce a range of environmentally modified organisms (EMOs) that meet the identified market needs of CEA operations are the primary issues driving the research and technology transfer objectives of this project.
