Artificial lighting in production of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) under passive hydroponics system
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Date
2019
Authors
Nikko O. Salamanca
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Abstract
Growing crops indoor and using artificial lighting can grow crops all-year round without the threat of extreme weather events. The effect of artificial lighting in production of Spinach was determined in this study. The specific objectives were to design and fabricate a vertical farm equipped with artificial lights under passive hydroponics system; to evaluate the effect different light intensity in growth performance of spinach; to assess water productivity of the system; and to conduct a simple cost analysis. The structure was designed based on different design consideration and fabricated using locally available materials. The growth performance of spinach was evaluated by determining the following parameters; plant height, weight of produce, number of leaves and root mass. Water productivity was also determined. The study considered light intensity as the treatments: red;blue and white LED lights with an intensity of 4400 lux, 5600 lux, and 7100 lux. The growing box has a dimension of 3m x 0.6m x 0.15m and it was made of marine-grade plywood. The vertical structure composed of three layers with a total height of 1.70m and a width of 0.60m and it was made of steel angle bar. Each layer had a one growing box. Results showed that spinach exposed to 7100 lux of light gained the highest plant height, weight of produce, number of leaves and root mass. It was evident that the process of photosynthesis was optimum in a light intensity of 7100 lux. Based yield and water consumption, plants exposed to 7100 lux of light also gained the highest water productivity of 18.75 x10³ g/cc.