Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Accomplishments

Rutgers University

We continue to evaluate a variety of lamp fixtures for light output, light distribution and power consumption using our 2-meter integrating sphere and a small darkroom. We are continuing to work on a comprehensive evaluation of ventilation strategies for high tunnel crop production (David Lewus). We are continuing our work using life cycle assessment tools to assess the environmental impacts of switching from high-pressure sodium lighting to LED lighting (Farzana Afrose Lubna).

Michigan State University

We coordinated several outreach programs that delivered unbiased, research-based information on producing plants in controlled environments, including the Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo and the Floriculture Research Alliance annual meeting.

In collaboration with colleagues at Arizona, Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, and the USDA-ARS, we completed the second year of our research and outreach project entitled “Improving the profitability and sustainability of indoor leafy-greens production”.

Ph.D. student Hyeonjeong Kang and Roberto Lopez investigated the influence of the photosynthetic daily light integral and root-zone temperature on rooting of tropical foliage plants during propagation. A daily light integral between 6 to 10 mol∙m–2∙d–1 is recommended because further increases have minimal impact on root growth or quality. The greatest root dry mass was recorded when cuttings were rooted at a root-zone temperature of 25 °C.

Ph.D. student Nathan Kelly and Erik Runkle studied the effects of dynamic UV-A or blue light on red-leaf lettuce growth and quality attributes. We grew lettuce under white plus red LEDs and delivered additional UV-A or blue light during one of three eight-day phases, or continuously. UV-A or blue light applied during the final phase of production or continuously equally increased secondary metabolite concentrations and leaf coloration, but growth was inhibited under continuous supplemental blue light.

Nathan Kelly and Erik Runkle studied lettuce grown indoors to determine how background lighting (various combinations of blue, green, and red light) influences the effectiveness of far-red light at increasing biomass accumulation. Preliminary results indicate lettuce biomass was the lowest when either no far-red light was present or when far-red light was delivered at its maximum intensity, as long as green light was included in the photon spectrum.

Ph.D. student Eric Stallknecht and Erik Runkle investigated the mechanism by which an experimental red-fluorescent greenhouse cover increases the biomass accumulation of floriculture, leafy green, and fruiting crops. In part, red-fluorescent materials increased biomass accumulation by increasing leaf area, which was correlated with a decrease in the transmission of blue light. However, the blue light fraction did not completely explain plant growth responses, suggesting effects of the green- and red-light fractions.

Eric Stallknecht and Erik Runkle investigated how experimental photovoltaic greenhouse glazing materials influenced the morphology and yield of greenhouse crops. Preliminary results indicate some crops can tolerate minimal to moderate shading caused by photovoltaic panels without decreasing yield, whereas other crops could not. These findings reiterate the necessity of carefully designing combined agricultural and photovoltaic systems considering the crop type, photovoltaic panel type, location, and time of year.

Ph.D. student Jiyong Shin and Erik Runkle studied the interaction between air temperature and photon spectra on the growth of lettuce and basil grown indoors. Preliminary research indicates that air temperature and photon spectra interacted in determining the growth and morphology of the leafy green species. This suggests that air temperature and photon spectra need to be simultaneously considered when developing indoor plant production protocols.

Research technician Annika Kohler and Erik Runkle examined the influence of light intensity and spectrum on the morphology and shelf stability of frill-leaf lettuce grown indoors. Under a relatively high ratio of blue to red light, both lettuce cultivars were compact, had less fresh mass, and greater chlorophyll content than plants grown under a lower light ratio. After 9 days of refrigeration, one cultivar grown under high light with the highest ratio of blue to red light decayed quicker than the other lighting treatments.

Former M.S. student Sean Tarr and Roberto Lopez performed experiments and established the base and optimum temperatures for fresh accumulation of arugula, kale, red oakleaf lettuce, and green butterhead lettuce.

Sean Tarr and Roberto Lopez modeled how the photosynthetic photon flux density and CO2 concentration interact with mean daily temperature to influence the growth, yield, and quality of hydroponically grown green butterhead and red oakleaf lettuce. Dry mass of both cultivars was influenced by the interaction of CO2 and temperature; biomass accumulation was greatest at 800 µmol·mol–1 CO2 at temperatures of 73 or 79 °F (23 or 26 °C).

Sean Tarr and Roberto Lopez investigated how the day length provided to marigold ‘Xochi’ young plants influenced subsequent flowering and cut flower quality. Regardless of the photoperiod provided, time to visible bud and open flower were similar across the young-plant photoperiods tested. Stem length at harvest was greatest when seedlings were grown under photoperiods of 13 to 16 hours.

M.S. student Devin Brewer and Roberto Lopez quantified the influence of blue or blue + red end-of-production (EOP) sole-source lighting on red-leaf lettuce. Results indicate that light intensity was more effective at increasing anthocyanin content than light quality alone. However, 100% blue light at the end of production increased mineral nutrient content beyond levels quantified in plants not receiving additional lighting.

M.S. student Caleb Spall and Roberto Lopez investigated the influence of supplemental light quality on time to harvest and finished quality of several specialty cut flowers. Time to harvest of cut flowers with a long-day flowering response was hastened when grown under blue, red, and far-red light combined, or 100% blue light, compared to cut flowers grown under 100% red light. Stem lengths were greatest under 100% red light.

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

NCERA‐101 project areas addressed:  Covid and NASA Ames Research Center closure severely restricted Controlled Environment Laboratory access.  As a result, accomplishments focused on utilization of initial Controlled Environment results enabling completion of phase one decision support and related vegetation assessment objectives.

 Completed Phase One Objectives for NASA Ames Research Center / State of California Space Act Agreement - Utilizing Adaptive Management Methods for Invasive Aquatic Plant Management:  Phase one objectives include 1) remote sensing method development for mapping and vegetation assessment, 2) testing of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), 3) decision support methods, and 4) daily environmental input sources for vegetation model.  Field study area is the California Delta – an intricate network of waterways, canals, and sloughs connecting Sierra Nevada watersheds (San Joaquin and Sacramento with San Francisco Bay) carrying more than 90% of the state’s precipitation and supplying California agriculture and communities.

Satellite-based, Remote Sensing Tool for Vegetation Mapping and Canopy Characterization:  Completed development of a remote sensing method, utilizing European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel satellite series, for mapping and characterizing vegetation community structure for Floating Aquatic Vegetation (FAV).  Remote sensing tool is in beta testing by the State of California, Division of Boating and Waterways for directing allocation of FAV management resources (personnel and treatment methods) and assessment of management effectiveness.

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Evaluation Test Completed:  Completed first field test using UAS (drone and autonomous control) for treatment and assessment of  vegetation communities in difficult to access landscapes.  Addressed both operational demands and treatment effectiveness.

Decision Support - Linking Landscape-Scale Remote Sensing Assessment and Natural Resources Management:  Initial decision support tool combines weekly satellite-based vegetation mapping and canopy assessments with weekly field management practices to assess effectiveness of management practices locally and landscape scales. 

Return to the Lab - FAV Evapotranspiration and Water Use :  The measured return to the Controlled Environment Lab is focused on resumption of remote identification of FAV and Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) and plans to use CE chambers gas exchange and on-water (field) validation measurements to add ET monitoring and modeling to the landscape-scale assessment.

Awards:  NASA Spotlight Award – Recognizing significant achievement in Technology Transfer and Interagency Collaboration.

Purdue University

For the far-red x CO2 study of young leaf-lettuce growth response, early baby-stage red oakleaf lettuce responded positively to 1200 µmol/mol CO2 and/or 20-40 µmol/m2/s FR light, but differently to other FR/CO2 combinations. At mid-baby-stage, lettuce grew best at 20 µmol/m2/s FR and 1200 µmol/mol CO2, and at teen-stage, biomass went up with each increase in FR and CO2, but leaf area went down or stayed the same.

For the close-canopy-lighting study, energy-utilization efficiency expressed as kWh of electrical energy used for lighting / g biomass produced (FW or DW) doubled for both scenarios of CCL tested.

University of Arizona

Graduate student of Gene Giacomelli, Max Smith completed progress producing tomato (truss and cherry), cantaloupe and cucumber within a recirculating top-drip hydroponic nutrient delivery system.  All crops are within a single-bay, gutter-connected, glass-covered greenhouse 7.5 x 15.1 m. Crops are produced in high solar radiation, high air temperature and modest VPD conditions to determine the effect on harvest quality and yield compared to standard, optimal conditions.  This is continuing work supported by sub-contract to UC-Merced from an INFEWS-T2 NSF grant, whose primary goal is to develop a solar-energized greenhouse for the purification of the salt-laden drainage water from field production agriculture in the Central Valley of California. It will further produce edible vegetable crops while operating at its excessive air temperatures required for desalinization.

Wavelength altering properties of quantum dots in plastic film for the improvement of tomato and lettuce plant production was continued within a single-bay, gutter-connected, ETFE film-covered greenhouse 7.5 x 15.1 m, by Michael Blum and Morgan Mattingly, graduate students of Gene Giacomelli, in collaboration and support of Matt Bergren, UbiQD company .Graduate student, Michael Blum (advisor, G. Giacomelli) has outfitted a recirculating top-drip nutrient delivery system within a single-bay, gutter-connected, ETFE-covered greenhouse compartment of 7.5 x 15.1 m for evaluating the wavelength altering properties of quantum dots in plastic films for the improvement of tomato plant production supported by a NASA-STTR grant with UbiQD company, Los Alamos, NM, and collaborators Matt Bergren and Charles Parrish.

Gene Giacomelli has hired, trained, educated and/or advised 19 undergraduates working on grant supported research projects, and 7 graduate students (3 as my graduate student supported by grant funds, and 4 as committee member) to be competent in CEA hydroponic crop production systems design and operations.

Gene Giacomelli, collaborator, SAM2 (Space Analog for Moon & Mars) at Biosphere 2, Kai Staats, Director Sam2. Prepared hydroponic lettuce production system for Analog Astronaut Conference May 6 – 8, 2022.

Chris Beytes, Grower Talks trade magazine participation in NGMA meeting at UA-CEAC and visit to UA-CEAC facilities and presentation with student networking. [facilitated by Gene Giacomelli]

KC Shasteen, graduate student of Murat Kacira, developed a machine vision application and implemented a predictive modeling-based system monitoring crop growth and yield, planting density optimization and yield predictions, that can be used in a DFW or NFT based production system.

Kacira Lab, through collaboration and support of Red Sea Farms company, are evaluating the effect of wavelength selective greenhouse covering materials to reduce energy demands for cooling and on varieties of tomato crop growth and yield. The outcomes of the project are also directed towards evaluating humidity controls, wireless monitoring technology, and company’s patented technology which combines thermal energy storage and saltwater evaporative cooling to both actively and passively maintain an ideal greenhouse temperature. 

Kacira is co-PI (UArizona), with Runkle (PI, Michigan State University), Lopez and Valde de Souza (co-PI, Michigan State), Kubota (Ohio State), and Mitchell (Purdue), and Boldt (USDA-ARS) continued collaborations in a project supported by the USDA-SCRI program entitled “Improving the profitability and sustainability of indoor leafy-greens production.”

Kacira Lab, in collaboration with Sadler Machine Co., SynerGy LLC., Thales Alenia Spacein Italy, German Space Agency, Italian National Research Council, University of Naples Federico II, completed a Phase A project funded by NASA that designed and evaluated the performance of a water and nutrient delivery system for crop production in microgravity environment.

Michele Ciriello, visiting PhD Student in Kacira Lab, from University of Naples Federico II, evaluated the effects of DLI and number of cutting/harvest on yield and quality attributes of basil crop grown in recirculating DWC based hydroponics system within LED lighted indoor vertical farm (UAg Farm) at the UA-CEAC.

Graduate student KC Shasteen (advisor Murat Kacira) developed and evaluated a computer vision system to monitor crop health and growth in a vertical farm setting. The research evaluated computer vision-based crop monitoring and modeling-based crop fresh and dry biomass prediction approach (speaking plant-based approach) to be used for decision making and environmental control application in vertical farming system and evaluated various what-if scenarios for co- optimization of environmental variables (air temperature, humidity, DLI, CO2) leading to resource savings. Furthermore, the model developed was used to identify and evaluate most optimal planting densities for the maximum crop yield outcome under specific environmental conditions.

Tilak Mahato (hydroponic specialist) and Murat Kacira (PI) continued to provide technical support for crop production and greenhouse systems controls and collaborations with Todd Millay (Director of UArizona Student Union Affairs) for the rooftop greenhouse facility which provides education and training for students, community outreach, and fresh produce access for food challenged students through campus pantry.

Kacira (co-PI), in collaboration with K. Chief (PI) et al., within NSF-NRT funded project titled “Indigenous Food, Energy, and Water Security and Sovereignty” continued to educate a cohort graduate student on novel and sustainable off-grid production of safe drinking water, brine management operations, and controlled environment agriculture systems to provide technical solutions for communities, currently with Navajo Nation, challenged to have access to fresh produce and safe drinking water. The project collaboration included educational and training programs for technical staff members and intern students, on controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems, hydroponic crop production, sensors and controls in CEA, offered during May 31st-June 3rd 2022 Tribal Universities and Colleges Internship Program.

UA-CEAC continued to provide educational opportunities on CEA for new farmers through its 21th Annual Greenhouse Engineering and Crop production Short Course (March 7-8-9) (Giacomelli, Kacira, Cadogan, organizers), UA- CEAC Intensive Workshops on education of growers producing tomato crop hydroponically (Dr. Triston Hooks, Instructor).

Kacira, Giacomelli, Cuello (co-conveners), with program coordinator Jaclyn Cadogan and support from industry sponsors, organized and hosted the 2022 NCERA 101 International Meeting on Controlled Environment Technology and Use, September 11-14 at the University of Arizona campus. The conference brought together 200+ participants from academia and industry, and included 6 technical sessions with 20 invited speakers, 3 panels with 9 panelists, and technical tours.

The Ohio State University

The Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC) with 21 academic members launched research consortium with seven inaugural members supporting to advance CEA through various researches covering Horticulture, Engineering, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Entomology, Workforce training, and Food Safety.

The first annual conference of OHCEAC was held on July 20th with with a total of 169 participants. This year’s focus was ‘Advancement of Microbial Technologies in Controlled Environment Agriculture’.

McGill University

The Biomass Production Laboratory at Macdonald Campus of McGill University is investigating the relationship between pigment absorbance and supplemental lighting for crop production. We have been doing studies on the impact with low pressure sodium lamps (LPS) and have been collecting data that LPS lamps are equivalent to other amber light systems for plant growth.

University of Delaware

Undergraduate student, Evyn Appel, and Qingwu Meng explored programming of Raspberry Pi and installing imaging devices to track and monitor plant growth. With overhead infrared images, we quantified the progressive growth of the plant canopy.

Qingwu Meng created and taught a new graduate-level course, Controlled Environment Crop Physiology and Technology, with 10 students enrolled. This course allowed students to gain insights on principle concepts and familiarity with practical tools in controlled environment agriculture.

University of Hawaii

Different LED lighting (red, blue, 50% red:50% blue) could be used to supply artificial lighting for 'UH Manoa' lettuce plants.

Additional nutrients through a pellet fertilizer or nutrient solution are necessary for proper plant development when using the Martian soil simulants.

Arizona State University

ASU Indoor Farming Certificate Program: ASU is offering a new ASU certificate program ‘Indoor Farming Certificate’ from the 2022 Fall semester.

Indoor Vertical Farming Workshops in Phoenix: Yujin Park, Zhihao Chen, and the City of Phoenix are developing 3-day workshops on indoor vertical farming, targeting a wide range of potential stakeholders in Phoenix.

Collaboration with the Zimin Institute for Smart and Sustainable Cities at ASU: Yujin Park and Zhihao Chen are working together with the Zimin Institute to create a closed-loop urban food production system that uses food waste as a primary nutrient source in indoor vertical farming settings.

UC Davis University

CEE lab at UC Davis developed autonomous microclimate and nutrient monitoring systems using Raspberry PI and Aurdino for two small-scale indoor farming systems for conducting energy efficiency and automation research activities for indoor farming. 

Dr. Ahamed worked with a group of experts in the Global CEA consortium (GCEAC) with a mission of partnering globally to accelerate profitable indoor horticulture through rapidly collaborative innovation. The group worked with various aspects, including the technology roadmap, demonstration facilities, strong partnership networks, collaborative innovation projects, improved sustainability, workforce development, and market development.

CEE lab (Dr. Ahamed) published a comprehensive literature review on fodder production's current status and challenges in controlled environments. This study provides a comprehensive literature review on techniques and control strategies for indoor environments and watering that are currently used and could be adopted in the future to achieve the economic and environmental sustainability of controlled environment fodder production (CEFP).

A new graduate-level course, "Energy Sytems Modeling," for CEA facilities has been developed and will be offered (Dr. Ahamed) in fall 2022 at UC Davis.

UC Davis team led by Dr. Ahamed and Dr. Lieth participated in urban greenhouse challenge 3, organized by the University of Wageningen from the Netherlands. UC Davis team placed 5th over 30 teams with over 260 students and professionals from 20 countries. 

LI-COR Environmental

LI-6800 Portable Photosynthesis System: The LI-6800, equipped with the 6800-01A Fluorometer, is the only instrument capable of the Dynamic Assimilation Technique. It allows you to collect data for full response curves in a fraction of the time required by steady state measurements. In contrast with the RACiR method, the Dynamic Assimilation Technique does not depend on empirical corrections and is traceable to first principles of gas exchange measurements.

LI-600 Porometer/Fluorometer: The LI-600 accelerometer/magnetometer measures three variables–heading, pitch, and roll–and the GPS receiver records leaf location and solar position. The LI-600 software uses these data to calculate the angle of incidence (its orientation to the sun at a given time and place) for each leaf measurement, allowing researchers to evaluate a plant’s environmental status more thoroughly. A new barcode generator in the desktop software allows for creating custom barcode labels that can then be scanned by the LI-600 for sample information.

Plenty Inc.      

In 2022, Plenty earned a spot on Forward Fooding’s FoodTech 500 list, was named one of South San Francisco’s Best Tech Startups, and received an AgTech Breakthrough award.

Thirty-percent of the workforce in Compton, CA is local to the area, and Plenty has collaborated with Compton’s mayor to support the greater community.

Plenty has identified a site for a campus of several farms growing different crops on the East Coast of the United States.

Plenty consistently supplies nutritious food to consumers through seasonal and climatic variations, pandemic disruptions, and supply chain limitations.

Sierra Space/ORBITEC, Madison WI

Microgravity Plant Growth: The Veggie units fabricated by Sierra Space were delivered to the ISS in 2014 and 2017 and continue to be actively used to support plant research and crop production tests. Sierra Space also continues to support the Advanced Plant Habitat Unit on ISS.  The APH was delivered to orbit in 2017 and is also being regularly used to support plant research. Our XROOTS Aeroponics/Hydroponics Technology Demonstration is currently operating on the ISS.  It is using one of our Veggie plant growth systems to provide lighting.

Aerospace Environmental Control & Life Support Systems: Sierra Space is collaborating with Blue Origin to develop a commercial space station called Orbital Reef. Part of the station core will be comprised of Sierra Space’s Large Inflatable Fabric Environment (LIFE) habitat modules. The LIFE habitat will incorporate 2-3 Astro Garden modules. The Orbital Reef will be serviced in part by Sierra Space Dream Chaser vehicles.

Koidra Inc

Autonomous greenhouse challenge: Koidra led Koala team, in collaboration with Neil Mattson at Cornell University and A.J.Both at Rutgers University, won the autonomous greenhouse challenge at the Netherlands’ Wageningen University & Research repeatedly in 2021 and 2022. For the online challenge in 2021, Koala team outperformed 46 teams from 24 countries in growing virtual lettuce using AI and computer vision modeling.

In the 2022 challenge, 5 teams out of 46 teams above competed to autonomously grow a lettuce crop using an artificial intelligence algorithm. During the challenge, the Koidra team used its Ai algorithm to remotely adjust greenhouse parameters such as lighting, ventilation, heating, irrigation, fogging and blackout screens. Various monitors provided feedback on the greenhouse conditions. RGB (red, green, blue) images of the lettuce gave insights into its weight and growth in real time, while thermal images revealed the veggies’ rate of water loss through transpiration. Koala team won the challenge and has become the only AI team to outperform the Dutch reference growers by 27.8% in net improvement.

Autonomous growing pilot in commercial greenhouse: We partnered with Great Lakes Greenhouse, in collaboration with Harrow Research and Development center to receive 2 grants the Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative grant and the Independent Electricity System Operator for developing and piloting AI-based autonomous growing technology to remotely grow eggplants and cucumbers in a commercial greenhouse. Our trial has been started for several months.

Percival-Scientific

Percival-Scientific has developed new LED platforms to optimize spectral uniformity weighted to photosynthetic, Circadian, and insect responses.  This optimization of spectral performance to use-case dependent spectral load demands led to very specific choices in LEDs for their spectral and intensity qualities.  The LED selection involved solving the corresponding combinatorial problem of which LEDs to select for which defined purpose.  This led us into the development of three platforms:

A general purpose 8-color system to simultaneously hit 420nm, 450nm, 530nm, 630nm, 660nm, 730nm spectral points (chosen for UV response, Chlorophyll A/B efficiency optimization, shade avoidance, and flowering response), as well as points between by choosing whites with large color temperature differences.

Broader, simplified dual-channel tiles.  Including extended-white 3000-6000K CCT controllable white LED boards, as well as white interspaced with red to permit more efficient Circadian response regime adjustment.

Effective linear LED patterns for incubator and insect spectral demands.

HortAmericas

Brillo Demonstration Greenhouse project had as objective to establish an automated, profitable and reproducible operation of a small-scale local greenhouse operation for young/new producers. It encompassed all phases, from the construction to the produce sale in grocery stores. This project proved high yield is possible in a low-tech greenhouse in harsh climate when using the right technology. For this project light was optimized to provide the maximum daily PAR while maintaining plant balance.

The Intracanopy lighting trial done with large Ohio greenhouse tomato grower demonstrated intracanopy light fixtures can help to maintain a higher plant density and fruit load which resulted in larger average fruit size and greater yields compared to the control group.

Using Intracanopy Light (ICL) fixtures enabled the research area to maintain a higher plant density and fruit load which resulted in larger average fruit size and greater yields compared to the control group.

Over the 31 week comparison time period, the research areas’ average fruit size was 162.61 grams, across all shoots, or 8.63% larger than the control group’s 149.69 grams.

Total yield was 69,594.72 kg, or 14.61% more than the control group’s 60,720.96 kg.

Trials will continue throughout the 2022 and 2023 season.

            Hort Americas created a new educational service to provide high quality short courses for young and experienced growers. In total 10 short courses were developed in the past year. All these courses are teached in live sessions and recordings are also available.

In our commitment to education we have created around 40 new videos in our new section on YouTube called “Mastering Controlled Environment Agriculture” these videos are videos are open to the public.

Hort Americas created seven new and free guides for growers. These guides are available on our website and free to the public.

Rutgers University:

Both, A.J. 2022. Greenhouse energy efficiency and management, Chapter 11. In Regional Perspectives on Farm Energy (D. Ciolkosz, Ed.). Springer, Switzerland. pp. 85-93. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-90831-7

Both, A.J. 2022. On-farm energy production – Solar, wind, geothermal, Chapter 12. In Regional Perspectives on Farm Energy (D. Ciolkosz, Ed.). Springer, Switzerland. pp. 95-105. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-90831-7

Lewus, D.C. and A.J. Both. 2022. Using computational fluid dynamics to evaluate high tunnel roof vent designs. AgriEngineering 4(3), 719-734; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering4030046

Lubna, F.A., D.C. Lewus, T.J. Shelford, and A.J. Both. 2022. What you may not realize about vertical farming. Horticulturae 8(4), 322. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040322

Shelford, T.J. and A.J. Both. 2021. On the technical performance characteristics of horticultural lamps. AgriEngineering 3:716-727. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering3040046

Llewellyn, D., T.J. Shelford, Y. Zheng, and A.J. Both. 2022. Measuring and reporting lighting characteristics important for controlled environment plant production. Acta Horticulturae 1337:255-264. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.34

Shelford, T., A.J. Both, and N. Mattson. 2022. A greenhouse daily light integral control algorithm that takes advantage of day ahead market electricity pricing. Acta Horticulturae 1337:277-282. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.37

Brumfield, R.G., S. Arumugam, A.J. Both, M. Flahive Di Nardo, R. Govindasamy, D. Greenwood, J. Heckman, N. Polanin, A.A. Rouff, A. Rowe, and R. VanVranken. 2021. A successful educational program for women producers, beginning farmers, and military veterans that helped address farm risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented at the 2021 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Hybrid, Denver, CO, August 5-9. HortScience 56(9) Supplement, S61. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.56.9S.S1

Both, A.J. 2022. A quick look into LEDs. GrowerTalks. April Issue. pp. 50-51.

Michigan State University:

Blanchard, M. and E. Runkle. 2021. Temperature, p. 64-79. In: J. Nau et al. (eds.). Ball Redbook, 19th ed., vol. 2. Ball Publishing, Chicago, IL.

Currey, C. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Managing photoperiod in the greenhouse. p. 47−49. In:

Beytes (ed.). Ball Redbook, 19th ed., vol. 1. Ball Publishing, Chicago, IL.

Kelly, N., V. Vaštakaitė-Kairienė, and E.S. Runkle. 2022. Indoor lighting effects on plant nutritional compounds, p. 329-349. In: Kozai et al. (eds.). Plant Factory Basics, Applications, and Advances. Academic Press, London.

Lopez, R.G. and C. Currey. 2021. Light management. Crop culture and production. p. 80−89. In:

Nau et al. (eds.). Ball Redbook, 19th ed., vol. 2. Ball Publishing, Chicago, IL.

Park, Y., C. Gomez, and E.S. Runkle. 2022. Indoor production of ornamental seedlings, vegetable transplants, and microgreens, p. 351-375. In: Kozai et al. (eds.). Plant Factory Basics, Applications, and Advances. Academic Press, London.

Runkle, E. 2021. Supplemental greenhouse lighting, p. 123-128. In: C. Beytes (ed.). Ball Redbook, 19th ed., vol. 1. Ball Publishing, West Chicago, IL.

Twaddell, J. and R. Lopez. 2021. Propagating vegetative crops p. 154−169. In: J. Nau et al. (eds.). Ball Redbook, 19th ed., vol. 2. Ball Publishing, Chicago, IL.

Kohler, A. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Air temperature during cutting propagation of cold-intermediate and –sensitive crops can be reduced if root-zone heating is provided. Sci. Hort. 304:1–8.

Kohler, A., DuRussel, N. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. A foliar spray application of indole-3-butyric acid promotes rooting of herbaceous annual cuttings similarly or better than a basal dip. Sci. Hort. 305:1–11.

Runkle, E.S., Y. Park, and Q. Meng. 2022. High photosynthetic photon flux density can attenuate effects of light quality. Acta Hort. 1337:333-340.

Vaštakaitė-Kairienė, V., A. Brazaitytė, J. Miliauskienė, R. Sutulienė, K. Laužikė, A. Viršilė, G. Samuolienė, and E.S. Runkle. 2022. Photon distribution of sole-source lighting affects the mineral nutrient content of microgreens. Agriculture 12:1086.

Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Hydroponic basil production: Temperature influences volatile organic compound profile, but not overall consumer preference. Horticulturae 8(1):76.

Whitman, C., S. Padhye, and E.S. Runkle. 2022. A high daily light integral can influence photoperiodic flowering responses in long day herbaceous ornamentals. Sci. Hort. 295:110897.

Kacira. M., P.-E. Bournet, L.R. Khot, Q. Yang, I.L. Cruz, W. Luo, H.J. Schenk, H. Fatnassi and R. Lopez. 2021. Sustaining the future with precision horticulture and engineering. Chronica Horticulturae 61(2):17−20.

Kelly, N., Q. Meng, and E. Runkle. Photoperiod, light intensity, and daily light integral. Produce Grower Mar.:16-19.

Kohler A. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. A study of the latest young plant technology: Getting to the root of basewell cuttings. GrowerTalks 85(11):48–49.

Kohler, A., A. Soster, and R.G. Lopez. 2022. PGRs and succulents. Greenhouse Product News 32(7):26–31.

Lopez. R., C. Kubota, E. Runkle and C. Mitchell. 2022. Indoor farming FAQs. Inside Grower 10(2):48–49.

Lopez. R. 2022. Are there risks of working under LED supplemental lighting? E-GRO Alert 11(10):1–5.

Meng, Q. and E. Runkle. 2022. Fixed vs. dynamic light quality for indoor hydroponic lettuce. Produce Grower Feb.:14-17.

Runkle, E. 2022. A closer look at LED efficacy. Greenhouse Product News 32(1):42.

Runkle, E. 2022. Air, leaf, and root-zone temperature. Greenhouse Product News 32(7):50.

Runkle, E. 2022. Blue light as a PGR. Greenhouse Product News 32(2):50.

Runkle, E. 2022. Evaporative cooling, part 1: Methods. Greenhouse Product News 32(4):42.

Runkle, E. 2022. Evaporative cooling, part 2: Maintenance. Greenhouse Product News 32(6):42.

Runkle, E. 2022. Futuristic light(ing) in horticulture. Greenhouse Product News 32(8):42.

Runkle, E. 2022. Light and temperature responses of bedding plants. Greenhouse Product News 32(3):34.

Runkle, E. 2021. The buzz of secondary metabolites. Greenhouse Product News 31(11):42.

Runkle, E. 2022. The shade-avoidance response. Greenhouse Product News 32(5):58.

Runkle, E. 2021. Water vapor-pressure deficit. Greenhouse Product News 31(12):34.

Runkle, E., M. Kacira, and C. Mitchell. 2022. More questions answered. Inside Grower Aug.:16-17.

Spall, C. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Blooming by lamplight. Greenhouse Product News 32(6):28–31.

Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Culinary herbs: Balancing light and average daily temperature. Produce Grower. 18–21.

Walters, K. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Lighting up basil flavor. Produce Grower. 40–44.

Purdue University

Mitchell, C. 2022. History of controlled environment horticulture: indoor farming and its key technologies. HORTSCIENCE 57(2):247–256. 2022. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16159-21

Morsi, A., G. Massa, R. Morrow, R. Wheeler, and C. Mitchell. 2022. Comparison of two controlled-release fertilizer formulations for cut-and-come-again harvest yield and mineral content of Lactuca sativa L. cv. Outredgeous grown under International Space Station environmental conditions. Life Sciences in Space Research 32 (2022) 71–78 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2021.12.001

University of Arizona

G.A. Giacomelli, Updated Foreword to "Basic Principles of Growing by Plant Empowerment" by P.A.M. Geelan, J.O. Voogt, P.A. van Weel, The Netherlands.

Waller, R., M. Kacira, E. Magadley, M. Teitel, I. Yehia. 2022. Evaluating the performance of flexible, semi-transparent large-area organic photovoltaic arrays deployed on a greenhouse. AgriEngineering (Accepted)

van Delden., S.h., M. SharathKumar, M. Butturini, L. J. A. Graamans, E. Heuvelink, M. Kacira, et al.. 2022. Current status and future challenges in implementing and upscaling vertical farming systems. Nature Food, 2: 944–956.

Zhang, Y. and M. Kacira. 2022. Analysis of climate uniformity in indoor plant factory system with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Biosystems Engineering, 220: 73-86

Blum, M.A. Blum, C.H. Parrish II, D. Hebert, D. Houck, T. Moot, N. Makarov, K. Ramasamy, H. McDaniel, G.A. Giacomelli, and M.R. Bergren. Enhancing Light Quality with Luminescent Films Through Tunable Quantum Dot Emission for Hydroponic Lettuce Production, (In review, Hort Technology)

Alcorn, J.R. G.A. Giacomelli and B.T. Scott (2023). Sustained Growth and Yield in Elevated Greenhouse Air Temperatures through Control of VPD. ActaHort from IHC, Angers, France. (In review)

Blum, M.A., C.H. Parrish II, D. Hebert, D. Houck, N. Makarov, K. Ramasamy, H. McDaniel, G.A. Giacomelli and M.R. Bergren (2023). Enhancing light use efficiency and tomato fruit yield with quantum dot films to modify the light spectrum. ActaHort for IHC, Angers, France. (In review)

Shasteen, KC., J. Seong, S. Valle De Souza, C. Kubota, M. Kacira. 2022. Optimal Planting Density: Effects on Harvest Time, and Yield. Presented at IHC 2022, Anger, France. ActaHorticulturae (In review).

Ohio State University

Hollick, J.R. and C. Kubota. 2022. Effect of self- and inter-cultivar grafting on growth and nutrient content in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Front. Plant Sci. 13:921440. Doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.921440

Ertle, J.M. and C. Kubota. 2022. Watermelon seedling quality, growth, and development as affected by grafting and chilling exposure during simulated transportation. HortScience. 57:889-896. Doi:10.21273/HORTSCI16557-22

Chowdhury, B.D.B., Y.J. Son, C. Kubota, and R. Tronstad. 2022. Automated workflow analysis in vegetable grafting using an Ultra-Wide Band based real-time indoor location tracking system. Computer and Electronics in Agriculture. 194:106773. Doi:10.1016/j.compag.2022.106773

Chowdhury, B.D.B., S. Masoud, Y.J. Son, C. Kubota, and R. Tronstad. 2021. A dynamic HMM-based real-time location tracking system utilizing UHF passive RFID. J. Radio Frequency Identification. Doi: 10.1109/JRFID.2021.3102507

Kubota, C., G. Papio, and J. Ertle. 2022. Technological overview of tip-burn management for lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in vertical farming conditions. Acta Horticulturae (in review)

University of Delaware

Runkle, E.S., Y. Park, and Q. Meng. 2022. High photosynthetic photon flux density can attenuate effects of light quality. Acta Hort. 1337:333–340.

UC Davis

Ahamed, M. S., Sultan, M., Shamshiri, R. R., Rahman, M. M., Aleem, M., & Balasundram, S. K. (2022). Present Status and Challenges of Fodder Production in Controlled Environments: A Review. Smart Agricultural Technology, 100080.

Qian, Y., Hibbert, L. E., Milner, S., Katz, E., Kliebenstein, D. J., & Taylor, G. (2022). Improved yield and health benefits of watercress grown in an indoor vertical farm. Scientia Horticulturae, 300, 111068.

Buxbaum, N., Lieth, J. H., & Earles, M. (2022). Non-destructive Plant Biomass Monitoring With High Spatio-Temporal Resolution via Proximal RGB-D Imagery and End-to-End Deep Learning. Frontiers in plant science, 13.

LI-COR

Saathoff, A. J., & Welles, J. (2021). Gas exchange measurements in the unsteady state. Plant, Cell & Environment, 44(11), 3509–3523. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.14178

Hamerlynch, E.P., O’Connor, R.C. (2021). Photochemical performance of reproductive structures in Great Basin bunchgrasses in response to soil-water availability. AoB PLANTS, 14(1), plab076.  https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plab076

Saunders, A., & Drew, D.M. (2022) Stomatal responses of Eucalyptus spp. under drought can be predicted with a gain–risk optimization model. Tree Physiology, 42(4), 815-830. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpab145

Yousaf, M.J., F. Ali and F. Ali. 2022. Effect of sodium chloride stress on the adaptation of Zea mays seedlings at the expense of growth. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 38(1): 249-259. https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.sja/2022/38.1.249.259

Sierra Space/ORBITEC

Morrow, R., J. Wetzel, and S. Moffatt. 2022. In situ Manufacturing derived from Bioregenerative Life Support Systems. ICES-2-22-435.

Moffatt, S., R. Morrow, J. Wetzel, and J. Klopotic. 2022. Astro Garden® “Salad Diet" Scale Ground Prototype Assembly and Plant Growth Testing. ICES-2022-17.

Klopotic, J.M. and J.P. Wetzel. 2022. Trash compaction and processing system development and testing. ICES-2022-104.

Marandola, E. and W. O’Hara. 2022. Assessing dust migration through pressurized habitable volumes. ICES-2022-328.

Burgner, S.E., K. Nermali, G.D. Massa, R.M. Wheeler, R.C. Morrow, and C. Mitchell. 2020. Growth and Photosynthetic Responses of Chinese Cabbage to continuously elevated carbon dioxide in a simulated Space Station "Veggie” crop-production environment. Life Sciences in Space Research, 77:83-88.

Abney, M., R. Gatens, K. Lange, B. Brown, J. Wetzel, R. Morrow, W. Schneider, C. Stanley. 2020. Comparison of Exploration Oxygen Recovery Technology Options Using ESM and LSMAC. ICES-2020-07-31.