Controlled Environment Agriculture - Purdue

Dr. Krishna NemaliAssistant Professor, Controlled Environment Agriculture

Horticulture and Landscape ArchitecturePurdue University

Visit us: www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/cea

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)• integrates both science- and engineering-based approaches• involves growing crops under managed environments• improves productivity and optimizes resource use

Vegetables and ornamentals are major crops in CEA

CEA Vegetable Production & Local Food Movement

• Freshness• Safety• Improves local economy• Produce more in less area• Year-round availability of unique

varieties• Knowing where your food is coming

from!

Gothamgreens.com

Smithsonian.org

• Lettuce• Basil• Spinach• Microgreens• Tomatoes• Peppers• Melons• Sweet corn

Commonly grown vegetables in CEA

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

CEA establishments in the U.S.

Source: www.IBISWORLD.com

CEA Industry in the U.S.

1 billion

High Tunnels Greenhouses Vertical Farms

Engineering Technology Increases

CEA includes multiple platforms

Greenhouse based production

Greenhouse based production

Indoor or Vertical Farming

More is produced in less space

Positive impact on environment• Low water use (~80 to 90% reduction)• Less pollution from reduced pesticides and fertilizers runoff• Reduced soil erosion

Human welfare• Focus is on nutritious and high value crops like vegetables, greens and herbs• Increase in locally produced vegetables leading to increased consumption• Access to fresh vegetables

Impacts large population• Urban farms provide employment in local communities• Small business model, opportunities for unemployed youth• Produce is sold locally reduces the need for middlemen….this can lower prices for consumers

Vertical Farming: Benefits

• On an average, artificial lighting is used for 16 h/day in indoor agriculture

• Electrical energy costs for lighting can be 25 to 30% of operational costs

Electrical energy use in indoor agriculture

High yieldHigh Energy ConsumptionMedium Nutrients

Low yieldLow Energy ConsumptionHigh Nutrients

High yieldLow Energy ConsumptionMedium Nutrients

Bedding Plants Cut flowers Potted Plants

Perennials Foliage/Tropicals Succulents

CEA and Ornamentals

The art of floral arrangement also falls under floriculture

Source: USDA

Whole-sale value by crop in the US

California and Florida rank as top two states

Many career paths exist for floriculture majors

• Research• Education• Production management• Writing & communication• Sales & Marketing• Parks & gardens• Owner & entrepreneur

You get to travel !!

Floriculture is served by many large companies

Photoperiod modification to produce colored bracts in poinsettias

Is there a market for poinsettias after Christmas?

Controlling temperature to target Easter lily for the market

Supplemental lighting to produce year-round

Marketing….chain/mass merchandising stores