Location: Application Technology Research
Project Number: 5082-21000-001-078-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2023
End Date: Aug 31, 2025
Objective:
(1) To optimize conditions and facilitate grower adoption of vertical indoor propagation (VIP) for propagating cuttings and seedlings under sole-source LED lighting in controlled growth rooms.
(2) To quantify evapotranspiration (ET) of transplants in order to facilitate grower adoption of climate-based mist irrigation and climate sensors to match irrigation with plant needs and thereby conserve water and improve plant rooting performance.
Approach:
(1) Vertical Indoor Propagation:
• Design prototypes for irrigation mist application and humidification for tightly-spaced shelves in VIP rooms, and test prototype mist and humidification equipment and controls in a commercial setting.
• Run experiments under a range of set conditions [varying light intensity, air movement, and vapor-pressure deficit (VPD)] to quantify their effect on ET and plant growth, in order to refine control algorithms for mist and humidification.
• Compare ET and plant performance in VIP versus greenhouse conditions.
• Assist growers with design and implementation of commercial-scale VIP rooms.
(2) Greenhouse evapotranspiration:
• Test infrared temperature sensors for quantifying soil/leaf temperature in research and commercial greenhouses, and benchmark leaf VPD and other climate parameters.
• Identify a process to summarize climate based on key performance indicators and benchmarks.
• Use load cells to quantify ET in propagation trays.
• Model ET in response to climate and identify the minimum reliable set of sensors for commercial application to accurately predict ET.
• Develop control algorithms for misting, and a process for auto-calibration of these algorithms in different greenhouse locations.
