In the heart of Ontario, Canada, a groundbreaking study is turning the tables on traditional agriculture, offering a glimpse into a future where root vegetables like radishes and turnips can be grown year-round, powered by the sun. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the work of Adia Shadd, a researcher at the John M. Thompson Centre for Engineering Leadership and Innovation at Western University. Shadd’s research, published in the journal ‘Foods’ (translated to ‘Nahrungsmittel’ in English), explores the potential of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and agrivoltaics—a combination of solar photovoltaics and agriculture—to revolutionize the way we grow our food.
Imagine a world where farms are not at the mercy of weather patterns or seasonal changes. Where crops can be grown vertically, saving space and resources. Where the energy used to power these farms comes from the sun, making them truly net-zero carbon emission. This is the world that Shadd and her team are working towards.
The study focuses on the effects of different spectral ranges on the growth and yield of radishes and turnips in a vertical hydroponic-aeroponic hybrid grow system. In simpler terms, they’re figuring out the best type of light to use to grow these vegetables indoors, using less energy.
“We’re not just looking at how to grow these vegetables,” Shadd explains. “We’re looking at how to do it in a way that’s sustainable and energy-efficient. The energy sector has a huge role to play in this. By optimizing the use of LED lighting and solar power, we can make these systems more economically viable.”
The results of the study are promising. Both radishes and turnips showed a preference for red light, and the green leaves of the harvested plants provided higher masses than the roots. Interestingly, turnips seemed to be more adaptable to vertical growth than radishes, showing a significant increase in both root and leaf mass per pot compared to radishes.
But why does this matter for the energy sector? Well, as Shadd points out, “The reduction in LED energy use is crucial to minimize capital costs for solar energy. If we can optimize the light recipes and intensity, we can make these systems more efficient and cost-effective.”
This research opens up a world of possibilities. It’s not just about growing vegetables; it’s about creating a sustainable, energy-efficient system that can feed the world. It’s about reducing our carbon footprint and mitigating the effects of climate change. It’s about the future of agriculture and the energy sector.
As we look ahead, it’s clear that the work of Shadd and her team is just the beginning. Future work is needed to optimize light intensity and recipes, but the potential is there. The future of farming might just be vertical, powered by the sun, and led by innovative research like this.