Download - IION Agri-Food Conference: Modular Farming in Challenging Environments - Richard Worsfold
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MODULAR FARMING IN
CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS
RICHARD WORSFOLD
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, OCE INC.
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State of the Art Controlled Environment Plant Production CESRF
Space as a Technology Driver
Emerging Technologies
Lighting Systems
Nutrient Management
Atmosphere and Gas Exchange
Advanced Imaging
Communications - ACMGH
Energy Systems
Overview
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Space as a Technology Driver
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It can be done here
If it can be done here
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In the Beginning
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Hypobaric Chambers (HBC)
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Small-scale HBCs
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Higher Plant Compartment
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Co
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LEDs for Plant Systems in Controlled Environments
OCE Industry Academia Collaboration ProgramBio-economy and clean technologies
Academic PI: Dr. Mike Dixon (U Guelph)Industry Partner: Dr. Al Scott (COM DEV)
June 7, 2012
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Advanced Lighting
LED systems
Light Recipes & Plant Physiology
Economical Lighting Solutions
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The Problem
Ontario is the third largest greenhouse producer in North America behind California and Florida.
Due to northerly latitudes, Canadian greenhouses require supplemental lighting for efficient year-round production.
Energy costs are rising Traditional white/yellow
greenhouse lighting is inefficient for plants.
Overhead lighting starves the inner canopy of light.
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The Solution Modern LEDs are now as efficient as
traditional sources, last longer, and can be tuned to emit only photosynthetically active light in wavebands where it is mostly absorbed.
We are using unique OCE-supported research infrastructure with new LED systems to determine crop specific colour balances increasing productivity and influencing physiological variables such as height, branching ratio, leaf size, and bud density (photomorphology)
We can develop compact cool inner-canopy arrays to more efficiently distribute the light.
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Tuned LED System
400 500 600 700
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Outcomes
Potential new Ontario business in economical LED systems to efficiently increase food productivity: Overhead LED lighting array Inner canopy LED lighting array Programmable by crop and physiological stage for best
colour balance (germination, growth, fruiting)
Key component of efficient modular Northern Ontario food production systems Food security in isolated communities Significant nutrition and health impacts Reduces dependency on shipped-in food Enhances northern economy with new jobs
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Summary
This project adds commercial sustainability to a major R&D project that could significantly improve the efficiency of greenhouse agriculture in Ontario.
We are discussing with a European company to set up a facility in Ontario to manufacture the lighting systems.
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Gaps Still ExistRequired & Emerging Technologies
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Opportunities
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Ion Specific Nutrient Monitoring
In recirculating irrigation
Nutrient imbalances can develop if controlling on bulk electrical conductivity
Diurnal/circadian considerations
Nitrate/Nitrite dynamics
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Atmosphere Management
Carbon dioxide
Temperature
Humidity (VPD)
Trace gases (i.e. ethylene)
Oxygen
Air flow
Miscellaneous
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Plants as Sensors
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- GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) detects changes in gene expression that can be captured (images) in real-time
-Direct measurements of plant water status in response to environmental stresses with in situ sensors
Plants provide direct feedback to interpret environment control strategies!
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Communications and Remote Operation
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Energy Systems
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A lot of batteries
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Infrastructure
Who will build the containment structures?
Who will do the systems integration?
Who will install and how?
Who will manage the clusters making up the farm?
Who will be the gardener?
Who will manage, repair and overhaul the installations?
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Summary
It can be done!
Emerging lighting, nutrient management, and control systems will enable northern food production
Still fundamental knowledge gaps and training that need to be addressed
Cost (mostly energy) and acceptance are still big hurdles
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Questions?
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SPECIAL THANKS TO DR MIKE DIXON OF
THE U OF GUELPH AND DR AL SCOTT OF
COMDEV FOR THE SLIDES USED IN THIS
PRESENTATION
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THANK YOU