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Construction and Operational Test of a Plant Factory

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2012 Dallas, Texas, July 29 - August 1, 2012  121341097.(doi:10.13031/2013.42051)
Authors:   Dong-Ki Ryu, Sun-Ok Chung, Sang-Un Park, Sun-Ju Kim, Yong-Pyo Lim
Keywords:   Protected horticulture, Plant factory, Environment control, Performance evaluation

Plant factory has drawn attention in many countries in the world due to capability of environmental control not only for better yield and quality, but also for increase in functional and medicinal components of the products. In this paper, an experimental plant factory was constructed for various tests under different environmental conditions and the operations were evaluated. A production room was constructed with adiabatic materials with dimensions of 6,720 x 2,960 x 2,500 mm (LWH). Four sets of 2,890 x 600 x 2,320 mm (LWH) production frame unit, each with 9 light-installed beds and an aeroponic fertigation system, resulting in 36 beds, were prepared. Air temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, light intensity, frequency, and duty ratio, fertigation rate and scheduling were controllable from a main control computer through wireless communication devices. Accuracy and response were evaluated for each component with and without crops. Results of the study would provide information useful for efficient application of the plant factory for crop production.

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