The answer to global food scarcity might be in artificial farming. A significant study from the University of Surrey underscores how controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) can not only double lettuce output but also grow crops much faster.
In their extensive study that reviewed 120 published works, researchers zeroed in on CEA's impact on lettuce growth. The results where astounding CEA methods averaged a yield of 3.68 kg m−2, overshadowing the 1.88 kg m−2 yield of conventional farming. Moreover, while conventional methods take 60-120 days to cultivate lettuce, CEA takes a mere 40 days.
When CEA was applied to vertical farming, the yield shot up to 6.88 kg m−2. Dr. Zoe M. Harris, a key contributor to the study, believes CEA is pivotal in addressing food security concerns, especially given our changing climate. This vital research, now part of the 'Plants' journal, hopes to inspire more exploration in the realm of CEA.
The University of Surrey is committed to making sure the environment is healthy and safe. It is working hard to tackle climate change and has set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Source : wisconsinagconnection