Using vertical farming systems for propagating everbearing strawberry: Physiological and technological feasibility assessment

BACKGROUND: One of the biggest challenges facing the soft fruit sector is to propagate disease free strawberry plants in a timely manner, financially viable approach and in an eco-friendly fashion. OBJECTIVE: This study sets out to investigate the efficacy of growing everbearing Fragaria×ananassa ‘Malling Ace’ runners at different propagation dates and under Different LED lighting regimes using vertical farming units and glasshouse (as control). METHODS: To evaluate the effects of the treatment factors, some of the main horticultural features including rooting success rate, rooting speed, root and shoot biomass production, chlorophyll content and bud emergence were measured and statistically analysed. In addition, this study aimed to investigate the energy efficiency of a self-sufficient Direct Current (DC) based vertical farming unit, versus a vertical farming unit using the Alternate Current (AC) electricity provided by national grid electricity. RESULTS: light, tipping date, and the interaction between light and tipping date, significantly influenced shoot biomass, total crown diameter, and chlorophyll content in the leaves of ‘Malling Ace’. In terms of energy demand, the DC unit had a higher level of energy efficiency over AC unit with 23% less energy demand. CONCLUSION: In general, this trial demonstrated vertical farming as a potentially sustainable method and efficient tool in propagating strawberry plants.