HORTSYS.2 Controlled environment horticultural systems

These systems will eventually be used in DSS and climate control systems. While we mostly would stop at the level of proof-of-concept, in some case we participate in the development of prototypes. We create and improve prediction models in greenhouse crops and utilise models for system understanding and the behaviour of plants in controlled environments and utilise findings of other PAs as e.g. the effect of light quality on plant compounds (PA QUALITY) or nutrient uptake in hydroponics (FUNCT.3). The understanding is gained by experimental work combined with modelling studies. However, our focus is widened as it includes vertical production systems and synergic and co-cultivation productions with closed nutrient cycles as e.g. aquaponics (with PA QUALITY). We create DSS systems and back-ground knowledge for low- and high tech protected cultivation systems. The main research questions covered by HORTSYS.2 cover all aspects of modelling, sensors, IT, and crop/plant physiology with 1) Early detection/active stressing for crop quality deterioration/triggering active compounds; 2) Use of phenotyping methods and soft-sensors; 3) Optimal design and control of synergic cultivation systems; 4) Microclimate optimization for healthy products in vertical farming systems.

Content

General: Horticultural Crop Production, Sustainable Production, Modelling, Plant Growth, Plant Nutrition, Plant Stress Detection, Decision Support Systems

Specific: Greenhouse Technology, Energy Systems, Climate Control, Microclimate, Sensors & Models, Horticultural Production Phenotyping, Vertical Farming, Symbiotic Cultivation Systems