In the heart of Italy, researchers at the Polytechnic of Turin are tackling a pressing global challenge: how to make indoor farming more productive and energy-efficient. Led by Nicolò Grasso from the Department of Management and Production Engineering, a team has developed a dynamic protocol that could revolutionize the way we grow crops in controlled environments.
The world is facing a dual challenge: climate change and population growth. Traditional farming methods are increasingly threatened by erratic weather patterns, while the demand for food continues to rise. Indoor farming, or soilless farming systems, has emerged as a promising solution, offering year-round production of high-quality crops, reduced water usage, and minimized chemical inputs. However, the energy demands of these systems can be prohibitively high, often making them economically unsustainable.
Grasso and his team set out to address this issue, focusing on baby lettuce plants. “We wanted to see if we could increase productivity without increasing resource use,” Grasso explains. “The key was to understand how different growing conditions affect the plants at various stages of their development.”
The team conducted a series of experiments, varying nutrient levels, temperature, and light intensity to assess their impact on crop productivity and quality. The data collected was used to design a dynamic cultivation protocol that adjusts growing conditions according to the plant’s development stage.
The results were impressive. The dynamic protocol enhanced system productivity by up to 25% in biomass accumulation compared to fixed growing conditions, all while maintaining the same high quality. “This approach confirms the potential to enhance the economic sustainability of indoor soilless farming,” Grasso notes.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. By optimizing resource use, this protocol could make indoor farming a more viable and attractive option for commercial growers. As the technology advances, it could pave the way for more efficient and sustainable food production systems, reducing the energy footprint of agriculture and contributing to a more resilient food supply.
This research, published in the journal *Intelligent Agricultural Technology* (translated from Italian), opens up new possibilities for the future of farming. As Grasso puts it, “We’re not just growing lettuce; we’re cultivating a more sustainable future.” The dynamic protocol developed by Grasso and his team is a step forward in this journey, offering a glimpse into the potential of smart, adaptive farming systems.