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• Book: Elsvier 2019 | Plant Factory 2nd Edition Plant Factory 2ⁿᵈ Edition: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production
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  Plant Factory 2ⁿᵈ Edition: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production

  Elsvier 2019 | Plant Factory 2ⁿᵈ Edition
  Paperback ISBN: 9780128166918
  eBook ISBN: 9780128166925
  https://www.elsevier.com/books/plant-factory/kozai/978-0-12-816691-8
  Toyoki Kozai, Genhua Niu, Michiko Takagaki

  Description

  Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production, Second Edition presents a comprehensive look at the implementation of plant factory (PF) practices to yield food crops for both improved food security and environmental sustainability. Edited and authored by leading experts in PF and controlled environment agriculture (CEA), the book is divided into five sections, including an Overview and the Concept of Closed Plant Production Systems (CPPS), the Basics of Physics and Physiology – Environments and Their Effects, System Design, Construction, Cultivation and Management and Plant Factories in Operation.

  In addition to new coverage on the rapid advancement of LED technology and its application in indoor vertical farming, other revisions to the new edition include updated information on the status of business R&D and selected commercial PFALs (plant factory with artificial lighting). Additional updates include those focused on micro and mini-PFALs for improving the quality of life in urban areas, the physics and physiology of light, the impact of PFAL on the medicinal components of plants, and the system design, construction, cultivation and management issues related to transplant production within closed systems, photoautotrophic micro-propagation and education, training and intensive business forums on PFs.

  Click here for book webpage.

• Book: Elsvier 2015 | Plant Factory 1st Edition Plant Factory 1st Edition: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production
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  Plant Factory 1st Edition: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production

  Book: Elsvier 2015 | Plant Factory 1st Edition
  Paperback ISBN: 9780128017753
  eBook ISBN: 9780128018484
  https://www.elsevier.com/books/plant-factory/kozai/978-0-12-801775-3
  Toyoki Kozai, Genhua Niu, Michiko Takagaki

  Description

  Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production provides information on a field that is helping to offset the threats that unusual weather and shortages of land and natural resources bring to the food supply.

  As alternative options are needed to ensure adequate and efficient production of food, this book represents the only available resource to take a practical approach to the planning, design, and implementation of plant factory (PF) practices to yield food crops. The PF systems described in this book are based on a plant production system with artificial (electric) lights and include case studies providing lessons learned and best practices from both industrial and crop specific programs.

  With insights into the economics as well as the science of PF programs, this book is ideal for those in academic as well as industrial settings.

  Click here for book webpage.

• 2019 | HortScience Photosynthesis, Morphology, Yield, and Phytochemical Accumulation in Basil Plants Influenced by Substituting Green Light for Partial Red and/or Blue Light
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  Photosynthesis, Morphology, Yield, and Phytochemical Accumulation in Basil Plants Influenced by Substituting Green Light for Partial Red and/or Blue Light

  2019 | HortScience 54(10):1769–1776
  https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14282-19
  Haijie Dou, Genhua Niu, Mengmeng Gu

  Abstract

  Green light penetrates deeper into the plant canopy because of its high transmittance and reflectance, and may potentially increase light interception and whole-canopy photosynthesis, whereas red and blue light is absorbed primarily by upper leaves. Moreover, green light induces shade avoidance responses and regulates secondary metabolism in plants. In this study, we investigated the effects of substituting partial red and/or blue light with green light on plant growth and development in basil (Ocimum basilicum) ‘Improved Genovese Compact’ (green) and ‘Red Rubin’ (purple) plants. There were four treatments: one combined red and blue (R&B) light treatment, R76B24 [the proportion of red (R) and blue (B) light was 76% and 24%, respectively]; and three green (G) light treatments—R44B24G32, R74B16G10, and R42B13G45—with green light proportions of 32%, 10%, and 45%, respectively. The experiment was conducted in a growth room and the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of all treatments was set at 220 μmol·m−2·s−1 with a 16-h photoperiod. Plants were subirrigated as needed using a nutrient solution with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 2.0 dS·m−1 and a pH of 6.0. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) in lower leaves was unaffected by green light treatments in green basil plants, whereas in purple basil plants it increased by 59% and 45% under treatments R44B24G32 and R74B16G10, respectively, compared with the combined R&B light. In green basil plants, treatments R44B24G32 and R42B13G45 induced stem elongation, but green light treatments showed no effects on petiole elongation, leaf expansion, leaf thickness, or plant yield. In purple basil plants, treatments R44B24G32 and R42B13G45 induced stem elongation and decreased leaf thickness and plant yield, but only the R42B13G45 treatment induced petiole elongation, and green light treatments showed no effects on leaf expansion. Concentrations of anthocyanin, phenolics, and flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity in green basil leaves showed no differences between treatments R76B24 and R44B24G32, but decreased under treatments R74B16G10 and R42B13G45. Concentrations of phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity in purple basil leaves showed no differences between treatments R76B24 and R74B16G10, but decreased under treatments R44B24G32 and R42B13G45. Combining plant yield, nutritional values, and the working environment for growers, a white light with low green light proportion (≈10%) is recommended for basil production in a controlled environment.

  Full publication at https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/abstract/journals/hortsci/54/10/article-p1769.xml

• 2018 | HortScience Responses of Sweet Basil to Different Daily Light Integrals in Photosynthesis, Morphology, Yield, and Nutritional Quality
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  Responses of Sweet Basil to Different Daily Light Integrals in Photosynthesis, Morphology, Yield, and Nutritional Quality

  2018 | HortScience 53(4), 496-503
  https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12785-17
  Haijie Dou, Genhua Niu, Mengmeng Gu, Joseph G. Masabni

  Abstract

  Consumption of basil (Ocimum basilicum) has been increasing worldwide in recent years because of its unique aromatic flavor and relatively high concentration of phenolics. To achieve a stable and reliable supply of basil, more growers are turning to indoor controlled-environment production with artificial lighting due to its high environmental controllability and sustainability. However, electricity cost for lighting is a major limiting factor to the commercial application of indoor vertical farming, and little information is available on the minimum light requirement to produce uniform and high-quality sweet basil. To determine the optimal daily light integral (DLI) for sweet basil production in indoor vertical farming, this study investigated the effects of five DLIs, namely, 9.3, 11.5, 12.9, 16.5, and 17.8 mol·m−2·d−1 on basil growth and quality. ‘Improved Genovese Compact’ sweet basil was treated with five DLIs provided by white fluorescent lamps (FLs) for 21 d after germination, and gas exchange rate, growth, yield, and nutritional quality of basil plants were measured to evaluate the effects of the different DLIs on basil growth and quality. Results indicated that basil plants grown under higher DLIs of 12.9, 16.5, or 17.8 mol·m−2·d−1 had higher net photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance (gS), compared with those under lower DLIs of 9.3 and 11.5 mol·m−2·d−1. High DLIs resulted in lower chlorophyll (Chl) a+b concentration per leaf fresh weight (FW), higher Chl a/b ratios, and larger and thicker leaves of basil plants. The shoot FW under DLIs of 12.9, 16.5, and 17.8 mol·m−2·d−1 was 54.2%, 78.6%, and 77.9%, respectively, higher than that at a DLI of 9.3 mol·m−2·d−1. In addition, higher DLIs led to higher soluble sugar percent and dry matter percent than lower DLIs. The amounts of total anthocyanin, phenolics, and flavonoids per plant of sweet basil were also positively correlated to DLIs, and antioxidant capacity at a DLI of 17.8 mol·m−2·d−1 was 73% higher than that at a DLI of 9.3 mol·m−2·d−1. Combining the results of growth, yield, and nutritional quality of sweet basil, we suggest a DLI of 12.9 mol·m−2·d−1 for sweet basil commercial production in indoor vertical farming to minimize the energy cost while maintaining a high yield and nutritional quality.

  Full publication at https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/abstract/journals/hortsci/53/4/article-p496.xml.

• 2019 | Agronomy Pre-harvest UV-B radiation and photosynthetic photon flux density interactively affect plant photosynthesis, growth, and secondary metabolites accumulation in basil (Ocimum basilicum) plants
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  Pre-harvest UV-B radiation and photosynthetic photon flux density interactively affect plant photosynthesis, growth, and secondary metabolites accumulation in basil (Ocimum basilicum) plants

  2019 | Agronomy 9(8), 434-434
  https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9080434
  Haijie Dou, Genhua Niu, Mengmeng Gu

  Abstract

  Phenolic compounds in basil (Ocimum basilicum) plants grown under a controlled environment are reduced due to the absence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and low photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). To characterize the optimal UV-B radiation dose and PPFD for enhancing the synthesis of phenolic compounds in basil plants without yield reduction, green and purple basil plants grown at two PPFDs, 160 and 224 μmol·m−2·s−1, were treated with five UV-B radiation doses including control, 1 h·d−1 for 2 days, 2 h·d−1 for 2 days, 1 h·d−1 for 5 days, and 2 h·d−1 for 5 days. Supplemental UV-B radiation suppressed plant growth and resulted in reduced plant yield, while high PPFD increased plant yield. Shoot fresh weight in green and purple basil plants was 12%–51% and 6%–44% lower, respectively, after UV-B treatments compared to control. Concentrations of anthocyanin, phenolics, and flavonoids in green basil leaves increased under all UV-B treatments by 9%–18%, 28%–126%, and 80%–169%, respectively, and the increase was greater under low PPFD compared to high PPFD. In purple basil plants, concentrations of phenolics and flavonoids increased after 2 h·d−1 UV-B treatments. Among all treatments, 1 h·d−1 for 2 days UV-B radiation under PPFD of 224 μmol·m−2·s−1 was the optimal condition for green basil production under a controlled environment.
  Keywords: UVR8;

  Full publication at https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/9/8/434

• Book chapter: Plant Factory 1st Edition | Elsvier 2015 - 1 Physical Environmental Factors and Their Properties
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  Physical Environmental Factors and Their Properties

  Chapter: Physical Environmental Factors and Their Properties (pp. 129-140)

  Book: Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production, 1st Edition

  Elsvier 2015

  Paperback ISBN: 9780128017753
  eBook ISBN: 9780128018484
  https://www.elsevier.com/books/plant-factory/kozai/978-0-12-801775-3
  

  Niu, G. Kozai, T. Sabeh, N.

  Book Description

  Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production provides information on a field that is helping to offset the threats that unusual weather and shortages of land and natural resources bring to the food supply.

  As alternative options are needed to ensure adequate and efficient production of food, this book represents the only available resource to take a practical approach to the planning, design, and implementation of plant factory (PF) practices to yield food crops. The PF systems described in this book are based on a plant production system with artificial (electric) lights and include case studies providing lessons learned and best practices from both industrial and crop specific programs.

  With insights into the economics as well as the science of PF programs, this book is ideal for those in academic as well as industrial settings.

  Click here for book webpage.

• Book chapter 2: Plant Factory 1st Edition | Elsvier 2015 - 2 Challenges for the Next-Generation PFAL
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  Challenges for the Next-Generation PFAL

  Chapter: Challenges for the Next-Generation PFAL (pp. 387-393)

  Book: Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production,1st Edition

  Elsvier 2015

  Paperback ISBN: 9780128017753
  eBook ISBN: 9780128018484
  https://www.elsevier.com/books/plant-factory/kozai/978-0-12-801775-3
  

  Kozai, T. Niu, G.

  Book Description

  Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production provides information on a field that is helping to offset the threats that unusual weather and shortages of land and natural resources bring to the food supply.

  As alternative options are needed to ensure adequate and efficient production of food, this book represents the only available resource to take a practical approach to the planning, design, and implementation of plant factory (PF) practices to yield food crops. The PF systems described in this book are based on a plant production system with artificial (electric) lights and include case studies providing lessons learned and best practices from both industrial and crop specific programs.

  With insights into the economics as well as the science of PF programs, this book is ideal for those in academic as well as industrial settings.

  Click here for book webpage.

• Book chapter 3: Plant Factory 1st Edition | Elsvier 2015 - 3 Role of the Plant Factory With Artificial Lighting (PFAL) in Urban Areas
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  Role of the Plant Factory With Artificial Lighting (PFAL) in Urban Areas

  Chapter: Role of the Plant Factory With Artificial Lighting (PFAL) in Urban Areas (pp. 7-33)

  Book: Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production,1st Edition

  Elsvier 2015

  Paperback ISBN: 9780128017753
  eBook ISBN: 9780128018484
  https://www.elsevier.com/books/plant-factory/kozai/978-0-12-801775-3
  

  Kozai, T. Niu, G.

  Book Description

  Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production provides information on a field that is helping to offset the threats that unusual weather and shortages of land and natural resources bring to the food supply.

  As alternative options are needed to ensure adequate and efficient production of food, this book represents the only available resource to take a practical approach to the planning, design, and implementation of plant factory (PF) practices to yield food crops. The PF systems described in this book are based on a plant production system with artificial (electric) lights and include case studies providing lessons learned and best practices from both industrial and crop specific programs.

  With insights into the economics as well as the science of PF programs, this book is ideal for those in academic as well as industrial settings.

  Click here for book webpage.