A New Approach to Vertical Plant Cultivation Maximises Crop Efficiency

Mariusz Ptak (), Sebastian Wasieńko () and Piotr Makuła
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Mariusz Ptak: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Łukasiewicza 7/9, 50-371 Wrocław, Poland
Sebastian Wasieńko: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Łukasiewicza 7/9, 50-371 Wrocław, Poland
Piotr Makuła: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Łukasiewicza 7/9, 50-371 Wrocław, Poland

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: This publication presents an innovative tower cultivation device designed to significantly increase vertical farming’s efficiency. The device divides the cultivation system into separate chambers. One division corresponds to the different growth phases of the plants, while another reflects the daily variation in conditions. Each chamber presents slightly different conditions and cultivation patterns from the others. For the early stages, crops are grown horizontally in trays; once they mature, they are transplanted into mobile cultivation towers. The closed circulation of ventilation and irrigation reduces water consumption by up to 95%. A unique separate day–night division optimises light, temperature, and humidity conditions, mimicking natural growth patterns. This approach not only saves water and energy but also improves cultivation in a three-dimensional space. The presented solution focuses on the often-overlooked aspects of cultivating in vertical farms and makes this method of growing much more cost-effective and feasible to implement on a large scale. Our comparative analysis with other vertical farming solutions is based on publicly available data and provides valuable insights, while acknowledging the potential limitations at play.

Keywords: vertical farming; plant cultivation; sustainable agriculture; hydroponics; aeroponics; aquaponics; food security; climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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