Adapting Fertilizer Management to Enhance Plant Nutrition in Greenhouse and Vertical Farms

Hydroponic nutrient solution management is a critical factor to consider when producing leafy greens in CEA. Achieving optimal yield and quality is dependent on a proper balance of dissolved nutrients maintained throughout production, which is challenging due to differential nutrient uptake rates. There are several strategies growers use to manage nutrient solution balance, yet there is limited data comparing nutrient solution management strategies and their impact on crop yield, quality, and resource use under high light levels. The objective of this presentation is to discuss the results of a series of studies that evaluated the performance of two leafy greens using six nutrient solution management strategies under three lighting intensities within two CEA production systems.