Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems in Controlled Environment Agriculture

36 Pages·2016·3.97 MB·English

by  Thea Sahr

World Café WC-22
“Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems in
Controlled Environment Agriculture”

Gene Giacomelli
UA-CEAC
The University of Arizona
Controlled Environment Agriculture Center
Tucson, Arizona, USA
WC-22 “Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems in Controlled Environments”

This session will address the potential of hydroponic and aquaponic (aquaculture with hydroponics
in a closed loop) systems within controlled environments (CE) to sustainably meet demands for
food production with limited resources. In conventional agriculture, food productivity is limited by
the input of energy, water, nutrients, and labor, and modulated by local climate. In contrast, with
CE, optimal crop potential is realized through efficient production methods, resource recycling
and reuse, and effective control of the plant’s aerial and root-zone environments. In addition, the
effects of climate variability in CE is reduced or eliminated by utilizing controlled structures to offer
nutritious, safe, secure, and predictable products. Aquaponic and hydroponic food production
systems that utilize organic, inorganic, and/or recycled natural resources for plant fertilization will
be presented.

Moderator: William “Bill” Cooper, Director, Environmental Engineering Program,
National Science Foundation
Speakers:
Rachel Brennan, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State
University
Gene Giacomelli, Director, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, University of Arizona
Michael Mageau, Assistant Professor, Environment and Sustainability, University of
Minnesota, Duluth
David Specca, Rutgers University, Assistant Director for Controlled Environment Agriculture
and Bioenergy Rutgers University EcoComplex
UA - Controlled Environment Agriculture Center
People focused on CE systems to help feed the world…..
Effectively using resources:
 energy
 water
 nutrient
 labor
 capital
resources
CEAC Students, Faculty, Staff, May 2014
CEAC Tomatoes Live2.0! http://ag.arizona.edu/tomlive/GHmonitoring.html
CEAC Hydroponic Tomatoes in CEA http://ag.arizona.edu/tomlive/gh2091-A_idx.html
Controlled Environments for Food Production
“Controlled Environments — The Future of
Economically viable, Environmentally reasonable
and Socially acceptable Food Production”

and currently a worldwide development
No Ordinary Tomorrows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V02-msDXatI
Look to references!
The Center and Faculty Programs http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/
Definition of CEA and Controlled Environment
Plant Production Systems
CEA systems can produce
any plant, any where, at any time.
CE systems designed in many forms, such as:
Greenhouse
Growth room
Plant factory
Vertical farm
Multi-span Greenhouse So. Pole Food Growth Chamber Plant Factory
Definition of CEA and Controlled Environment
Plant Production Systems
CEA systems can produce
any plant, any where, at any time.
BLSS for Space?
(Bioregenerative Life Support)
Mars – Lunar Greenhouse
University Arizona
The Emmy Award-winning Documentary “Earthlight”
Earthlight Documentary http://cals.arizona.edu/earthlight/
NASA Steckler Space Grant Program http://ag.arizona.edu/lunargreenhouse/
A movie with Matt Damen
and discussion of Earth application
from Gene Giacomelli

Play the 2 minute video at this link:
https://arizona.app.box.com/s/h9olrdjspwav5debqxbi6t97kzlqtrye/1/4914104993/39807368413/1

Copyright
Phil Sadler
Controlled Environment Plant Production Systems

Greenhouse Crop Production

Require:

Engineering, science & horticultural knowledge

for technical success, and;

Experienced and educated labor
for production success, and;

Financial, marketing and sales
for economic success
Village Farms, Co. ‘semi-closed’ Greenhouse
Annual Yields
photo credit: P. Selina 100 kg/m2 (20 lb/ft2) 435 ton/acre
Village Farms http://www.villagefarms.com/default.aspx
Perspective of Controlled Environment Agriculture
Need for food nourishment (vitamins, minerals)
even for ‘urban’ situations where the people are…..
Complement to
soil-based
agriculture;
Not replacement
of it!
Gotham Greens Rooftop Greenhouse in NY City
photo credit: Gotham Greens
Local Produce http://gothamgreens.com/
Food, Energy and Water Nexus

CEA has reached major significance in
worldwide thinking of food production
[now even in the USA!]

CEA has many options and marketing points:
Inorganic hydroponics
Organic hydroponics
Pesticide-free
Locally Grown
Aquaculture/Aquaponics
Greenhouse
Urban agriculture
Plant factory
Vertical Farm