Growing high-yield, healthy plants using root-zone dissolved CO2 enrichment system: impact of varying degrees of dissolved CO2 addition on plant growth in controlled growth conditions.

Many industrial hydroponic growers supplement their greenhouses with additional CO2 to improve crop yields. Elevated levels of CO2 can increase rates of photosynthesis and dry-matter accumulation. Greenhouse operators, therefore, often inject extra CO2 (up to 700-1500 ppm) into the aerial environment to improve their crop yields. However, enhancing CO2 levels in commercial greenhouses can incur both high energy costs and material waste due to the frequent ventilation of greenhouses needed to control humidity andtemperature, and prevent certain plant diseases. The aerial deployment of CO2 thus wastes some materials and unnecessarily contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. This project is pursuing a novel root-zone supplementation technique that helps limit atmospheric diffusion and keeps supplemented CO2 near the plant. The technology represents both a potential advantage for producers and a means to reduce CO2 emissions in greenhouse operations. The project focuses on demonstrating improved crop yields and optimizing the delivery mechanisms.

Faculty Supervisor:

Hossein Kazemian;Lisa Wood

Student:

Partner:

Just Vertical

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Northern British Columbia

Program: