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

Hydroponics

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

• Good supply of oxygen• Disease free systemsRequires

sophisticated mist systems

Aeroponics

Aeroponics

Fertilizer solution

Flood and drain system

• Soilless media is used in containers• Water is not supplied continuously

Greensensefarms.com

Flood and drain system

Plants are grown under high intensity artificial lights for year-round production

Cropking.com

Water and fertilizer supply to plants is controlled using sensors

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

Smartphone Apps to monitor crop input use

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

Thermal imaging for crop temperature

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