Emerging Technologies for Food
Production in Challenging
Environments
ICNGD, November 7-8, 2012
Mike Dixon
University of Guelph
Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility
Overview
State of the Art Controlled Environment Plant
Production – CESRF
  Space as a Technology Driver
  Emerging Technologies
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments

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◦  Lighting Systems
◦  Nutrient Management
◦  Atmosphere and Gas Exchange
◦  Advanced Imaging
◦  Communications - ACMGH
◦  Energy Systems

Questions
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Space as a Technology Driver
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If it can be done
here…
It can be done
here
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Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
In the Beginning
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Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Hypobaric Chambers (HBC)
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Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Small-scale HBCs
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Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Higher Plant Compartment
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Commercial Applications
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Gaps Still Exist…
Required & Emerging Technologies
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Advanced Lighting
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
  LED
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systems
◦  Light Recipes & Plant Physiology
◦  Economical Lighting Solutions
Ion Specific Nutrient Monitoring
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
  In
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recirculating irrigation
◦  Nutrient imbalances can
develop if controlling on
bulk electrical conductivity
  Diurnal/circadian
considerations
◦  Nitrate/Nitrite dynamics
Atmosphere Management
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
  Carbon
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dioxide
  Temperature
  Humidity (VPD)
  Trace gases (i.e. ethylene)
  Oxygen
  Air flow
  Miscellaneous
Plants as Sensors
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
- GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) detects changes in
gene expression that can be captured (images) in real-time
- Direct measurements of plant water status in response to
environmental stresses with in situ sensors
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Plants provide direct feedback to interpret
environment control strategies!
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Communications and Remote Operation
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Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Energy Systems
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A lot of
batteries
Summary
Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
  It
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can be done!
  Emerging lighting, nutrient management,
and control systems will enable northern
food production
  Still fundamental knowledge gaps and
training that need to be addressed
  Cost (mostly energy) and acceptance are
still big hurdles
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Emerging Technologies for Food Production in
Challenging Environments
Questions?