Green Side Up
Hydroponics
June 28, 2023
Food deserts are areas where access to affordable, healthy food is limited, typically affecting low-income communities. In Nevada, 154,623 people live in food deserts, relying on fast food or convenience stores. Green Side Up Vertical Farms, led by Alaric Overbey and Chef Mitch Earl, partners with local organizations to provide fresh, local produce in these areas. Vertical farms reduce costs, nutrient loss, and contamination risk by growing food locally and efficiently with less water. This collaboration focuses on transferring innovative water technology to support vertical farming in Southern Nevada.
The use of the Kairospace Ag PACK Mini in the pilot program led to noticeable improvements in water quality, which in turn resulted in enhanced crop growth, increased nutritional quality, and reduced time to harvest leading to optimized water usage. The dissolved oxygen levels in the treatment groups were significantly higher than in the control groups. The treatment groups measured 24.16 mg/L, reflecting a 250% increase over the control group (8.05 mg/L).
The charts below show a significant improvement in total wet weight for the treatment groups (T1 & T2) compared to the control groups (C1 & C2). The tower of treated plants achieved weights of approximately 3000g and 2500g respectively, whereas the towers of control plants reached about 2000g and 1800g respectively. This demonstrates that the Kairospace Ag PACK Mini effectively enhances plant growth and yield.
The Brix levels, which indicate the sweetness and quality of the plants, were notably higher in the treatment groups compared to the control groups. T1 and T2 plants had Brix levels of approximately 8%, while C1 and C2 plants had levels around 6% and 5% respectively. This suggests that the treatment not only increased the yield but also improved the quality and nutritional value of the produce.
The photos provide a clear visual comparison between the control and treatment groups. The control plants (A & B) show smaller root systems and less dense foliage. The treated plants (C & D) exhibit significantly larger and more robust root systems, along with denser and more vigorous foliage.
We believe that the success of this pilot program at Green Side Up Farms highlight the effectiveness of the Kairospace Ag PACK Mini in enhancing both the growth and quality of leafy green lettuce in a vertical farming setup. The improvements in total wet weight, Brix levels, dissolved oxygen, and time to harvest, along with the visible differences in plant health, underscore the transformative potential of Kairospace’s water enhancement technology.
The testing was conducted with leafy green lettuce planted in recirculating vertical farm towers. We performed two separate validation series over a full plant growth cycle of approximately 45 days. The actual treatment of test groups started at the transplanting and vegetation stages and lasted approximately 28 days. All experiment groups were routinely monitored and adjusted for consistent nutrient solution profiles using standard EC, pH, and DO probe equipment. Photoperiods and water cycles were timed and synchronized across all experiment groups. Test groups were provided with treated water produced with sonicated oxygen ultra-fine bubbles, while the control groups were left untreated.
To assess crop performance and yield in both test and control groups, we examined various characteristics, including size, shape, Brix levels, leaf area, flavor, texture, and fresh weight.
The weight of leafy greens immediately after harvesting, including water content. It is crucial for assessing yield outcomes and financial returns since growers are paid based on fresh produce weight.
Indicate the sweetness and quality of leafy greens, providing insights into taste, nutrition, and plant health. High Brix levels signify superior flavor, enhanced nutrition, and optimal growth conditions.
The amount of oxygen in water or nutrient solutions used for irrigating leafy greens. It affects root health, nutrient absorption, and overall plant growth, helping to prevent root diseases and plant stress.
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