Vertical Farming

Vertical Farming in Every Detail

While writing this article, we will talk about vertical farming in a completely conversational tone. First of all, I don’t think these will change the world, or that they are very innovative inventions. In fact, I think they are systems that negatively affect the natural behaviors of the plant at some point. But it seems like a very nice hobby to me. I mean, just think about it, you have money and you don’t have to deal with back-breaking soil hoeing. In fact, vertical farming is also done with soil, but if it is going to be a hobby, it should be portable and have a minimal design. For this, combining soilless farming with vertical farming and building a great agricultural tower sounds very nice. Now let’s talk a little bit scientifically; what is vertical farming?

Vertical farming is the cultivation of plants in closed, vertically layered systems. This method has the capabilities of using less water, producing throughout the year, and farming in urban areas.

Definitions generally work in a positive way and never mention the opposite situations, unhealthy conditions. Although vertical farming has advantages such as water saving, space saving, control of environmental conditions, low use of pesticides, high yield and food safety control, high initial cost, increased energy consumption, need for technical knowledge, limitation of product variety, maintenance difficulties, high production costs and financial burdens caused by artificially providing nutrients that cannot be taken from the soil are disadvantages that cannot be ignored. Vertical farming is emerging as a solution to problems such as rapid urban growth, opening up of agricultural areas to construction, decreasing interest in the agricultural sector and insufficient food reaching the large population. The fact that local producers produce and the urban population benefits from fresh nutrients highlights vertical farming as a widespread tool in developed countries. Now, if you look at other articles, they even tell you that cities will be designed to accommodate vertical farming areas for the future. I think it is the exact opposite, while we have not even solved the parking problem, while talking about the country turning into a huge coffin in the event of a major earthquake, talking so optimistically about the future seems like a utopian dream to me. Because we are a society that progresses without planning, without a program and without standards. However, we will still keep our hopes green. Heirloom seed shares on social media and return to nature communities shed light on us. The best points of such projects are that they include new developments and open doors to different areas of use. These new concepts combine with other new concepts to form a whole. Our control in agriculture is increasing with advantages such as artificial intelligence and automation integrations, climate and environmental control. The world actually has an abundance of land and water that can suppress all kinds of hunger. I have a very different view than the globalists who hide behind excuses such as fresh water resources or global warming. The rate of operation of arable agricultural lands in Turkey is 60-65%. Yes, you heard right, we still have 35-40% of land that we can cultivate. However, our people are unfortunately lazy and the state has a very nice bureaucratic system that encourages this. Now that we have criticized enough, let's talk about the details of this system.

Vertical Farming Systems

Although there are soil-based types among vertical farming systems, it is necessary to go beyond the ordinary in order for this to be considered a new system. Moreover, since the area and water usage in soil-based vertical farming is higher than other systems, it is not a preferred system. Apart from that, vertical farming should be examined under three main headings: hydroponic, aeroponic and aquaponic systems.

Hydroponic Systems

In these systems, the soil is removed and the plant roots are left to grow in a constantly circulating water. Of course, the roots are protected from sunlight. Minerals that the plant will take from the soil are added to the water to obtain a rich solution. This is where water saving comes into play. Since the water is constantly circulating in the system, 90% less water is used. As you can see in the picture above, the plants are positioned vertically, saving space. Let's take a look at the mechanisms of hydroponic systems.

Aggregates

Instead of soil, materials called aggregates are used to ensure that the plant roots receive sufficient amounts of air and water. While liquid systems do not have a solid medium to support the plant roots, aggregate systems do have a solid medium support. These are also called growth media or substrate. Aggregates can consist of various materials such as clay balls, perlite, rock wool, vemiculite and coconut fiber.

Nutrient Solution

With special formulas containing the macro and micro nutrients that plants need, nutrients in the soil are imitated and the exact amount the plant needs can be given. This increases productivity.

Plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc are used in the nutrient solution.

Water Tank

Large water tanks are used to store the nutrient solution and deliver it to the plants. Pump systems are integrated to ensure the circulation of the solution. Filters must be included and both

System

These are pipe systems, gutters and plant beds where water circulation is provided. PVC pipes or growth channels can be used as pipes. In addition to these, air and water pumps are also used. The function of the water pump is to circulate the known water. The air pump, on the other hand, oxygenates the water and allows the plant roots to reach sufficient oxygen. Of course, we are not satisfied with these. If we are not going to do amateur work, we also include our pH and EC measuring devices in the system. The EC meter is used to measure the electrical conductivity in the solution. The appropriate EC value should be determined by looking at the type of plant and the development stage it is in. On the pH side, this situation is determined according to the mineral where the absorption is desired to be increased. For example; if the absorption of elements such as iron and manganese is desired to be increased, pH values around 5.5-6.0 can be preferred, and if we are going to increase the absorption of elements such as phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, pH values such as 6.0-6.5 can be preferred.

Additional Components

With LED and grow lights, you can stimulate your plants more and accelerate their growth. We can make the system more autonomous and add timers and control systems. Timers to make the water pump and lights work automatically. We can even use automation systems that control water level, temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels. But if we are not going to do this commercially, there is no need for it.

Advantages of Hydroponic System

It is soilless.
Provides climate control.
It saves water.
Provides rapid growth and increased yield.
Provides effective use of nutrients.
Provides better space allocation.
Provides greater control over pH.
There are no weed pests or soil-related diseases.
There is less use of herbicides and pesticides.
It saves labor and time.
Reduces the burning of plant waste.

Disadvantages of Hydroponic System:

Setting up the system is costly.
Production is limited according to field conditions.
It is a delicate and time-consuming production system and must be constantly monitored.
Requires technical knowledge.
Diseases and pests can spread quickly.
Waterborne micro-organism threat.
The system is not suitable for the production of all plants.

Aeroponic Systems

In this system, the roots are in direct contact with the air. Water with nutrient solution is sprayed at regular intervals to the roots suspended in the air. This accelerates plant growth because the roots receive sufficient oxygen. In fact, this method eliminates the need for an air pump that we use to oxygenate the water in the hydroponic system. Moreover, it is more efficient in water use.

Differences from Hydroponic System

In aeroponic systems, roots expand into the air chamber and water is sprayed into this chamber from nozzles. A high-pressure pump is used to spray the water under pressure.

Advantages of Aeroponic System:

Faster Plant Growth
Water Saving
Space Saving
Controlled Nutritional Management
Less Risk of Disease and Pests
Clean and Hygienic Environment

Disadvantages of Aeroponic System:

High Installation Cost:
Technical Knowledge and Maintenance Needs:
Electricity Dependency:
Complex Installation and Management:
Limited Plant Selection:

Aquaponics Systems

The aquaponics system combines fish farming (aquaculture) and hydroponic farming. In this system, fish waste is used as a natural source of nutrients for plants. As plants absorb these nutrients, they filter and clean the water, creating a healthy environment for fish. In vertical aquaponics systems, fish ponds and plant growing areas are integrated with each other to create a closed cycle. This method provides an ecosystem-like balance, providing environmentally friendly and sustainable food production.

Advantages of Aquaponics Farming:

Natural Ecosystem Cycle:
- Aquaponics systems create a symbiotic relationship between plants and fish. The waste produced by the fish is used as nutrients for the plants, and the plants clean up this waste, making the water healthy for the fish.
- This cycle eliminates the need for the use of chemical fertilizers and artificial nutrients.
Water Saving:
- Aquaponics systems use up to 90% less water than traditional farming methods thanks to the continuous reuse of water in a closed loop.
- This system, where water is lost only through evaporation, is ideal for regions where water resources are limited.
Organic and Chemical-Free Production:
- The plants are grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers to avoid harming the fish, resulting in completely natural and healthy products.
- It is suitable for organic farming practices.
Obtaining Double Products:
- Both fresh vegetables and fish can be grown in an aquaponics system. This makes it possible to get multiple products from the same system.
- Fish can be used for commercial purposes or as a source of protein.
Less Soil Requirement:
- Since soil is not used, large areas of land are not needed for farming. This makes it easier to produce sustainably, especially in cities or on limited agricultural land.
High Yield and Rapid Growth:
- Plants can grow faster thanks to the constant intake of nutrients and access to oxygen for their roots.
- High yields are achieved thanks to regular nutrient cycle and water quality.
Reduction of Diseases:
- Elimination of soil-related diseases allows plants to grow healthier.
- Because the system is closed, pests and diseases can be controlled more easily.

Disadvantages of Aquaponics:

High Start-up Cost:
- Aquaponics systems have high initial costs for installation, requiring fish tanks, water pumps, filtration systems and equipment for water quality control.
- In the long run, costs can be offset, but investment may be required in the initial stages.
Technical Knowledge Requirement:
- Aquaponics systems require knowledge of both plant and fish farming, which can make the learning curve difficult, especially for beginners.
- A good understanding of factors such as water chemistry, pH balance, ammonia and nitrate levels is important.
Sensitivity to System Failures:
- Aquaponics systems are vulnerable to problems like power outages or pump failures. A stoppage in water flow can quickly affect both fish and plants.
- Backup power supplies and ongoing maintenance are required.
Limited Fish and Plant Species:
- Not all fish and plants are suitable for growing in aquaponics systems. Certain fish species (tilapia, carp, trout) and plants (green leafy vegetables, herbs) are more commonly used.
- Compatibility of fish and plants is critical to the success of the system.
Fish Care:
- Fish require constant care and attention because they are living things. Their nutrition, water temperatures and general health should be monitored.
- Fish diseases or water quality problems can upset the balance of the entire system.
Installation Space Requirement:
- While systems are more compact for small-scale production, large areas may be required for large-scale production.
- Compared to vertical farming or other hydroponic systems, the layout of aquaponic systems can be more complex.

Traditional Farming vs. Vertical Farming

Vertical farming is a model that makes agriculture more efficient, sustainable and local, especially by utilizing the power of technology. Technological innovations in this field are constantly evolving in order to optimize production processes and reduce environmental impacts. Such innovations play an important role in the spread and effectiveness of vertical farming.

Automation and Robotic Technologies
In vertical farming systems, processes such as plant care, harvesting, irrigation and nutritional supplementation are usually done with automation. Robots and drones in particular provide great efficiency in the field of agriculture. These robots control the plants, monitor the growth status of each and intervene when necessary. In addition, by collecting the crops, they significantly reduce labor costs.
Climate Control Systems
Since vertical farming is carried out in closed areas, climate control systems are of great importance. These systems ensure that plants grow most efficiently by maintaining optimum levels of temperature, humidity, light and air quality. Such technologies allow plants to develop rapidly, independent of natural environmental factors.
LED Lighting
In vertical farming, instead of traditional sunlight, artificial light is used for plants to photosynthesize. LED lighting supports the most efficient growth of plants by providing a highly energy efficient and controlled light spectrum. LEDs increase growth rate and minimize energy consumption with special light types for different plant species.
Hydroponics and Aeroponics Systems
In vertical farming, soil is not used, instead hydroponics (nutrient solutions in water) and aeroponic (roots fed by air) systems are preferred. These systems allow water and nutrients to be delivered directly to the roots, which allows plants to grow faster and achieve high yields with fewer resources. At the same time, these methods minimize environmental impacts and ensure efficient production even in areas not suitable for agriculture.
Data Collection and Analytical Technologies
In vertical farming, sensors and smart systems are used to monitor factors such as plant health, growth rate, water and nutrient needs. This data is collected and analyzed through digital platforms to make the most appropriate interventions in the agricultural process. Data analytics helps make better production decisions and increase productivity in agriculture.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies help optimize processes in vertical farming systems. For example, through analysis of plant growth and environmental factors, machines can make decisions to increase efficiency and reduce resource usage. This allows for smarter and more effective farming techniques.

Use of Ancestor Seed in Vertical Farming

Studies on the use of heirloom seeds instead of hybrid seeds in soilless farming systems show that traditional seeds can make a significant contribution to sustainable agricultural practices thanks to their genetic diversity and natural adaptation capacity. Studies show that heirloom seeds can provide products that are rich in nutrients and more resistant to environmental conditions, but that these seeds may be more difficult to adapt to soilless farming environments compared to hybrid seeds. This may require sensitivity, especially regarding the distribution of water and nutrients. In terms of yield, heirloom seeds may generally yield less than hybrid seeds, but they may be superior in terms of their nutritional value and natural flavor. In this context, the use of heirloom seeds in soilless farming is a promising area that can increase productivity with correct nutrient management supported by high technology and optimization of environmental conditions.