In a vertical farm we can control all growth conditions. In order to optimize these conditions we need more understanding of how the plant responds to the growth conditions. In my talk I will focus on the possibilities to dynamically control the growth conditions to maximize yield and quality and minimize energy costs. A presentation by Leo Marcelis, Professor Horticulture and Product Physiology, head of chair group Horticulture and Product Physiology, Wageningen University & Research.
 | 4 December 2024 |  |
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Leo has a passion for understanding the functioning of horticultural plants, and thinks that vertical farming, LED technology, sensor technology, and artificial intelligence as emerging technologies / trends for having the greatest potential in the short and long run.
About Leo Marcelis
For many years Leo has been conducting research on sustainable production of high quality products in vertical farms and greenhouses at Wageningen University and Research; Leo has a a strong background in plant physiology, crop monitoring, computational modelling and experimentation. He has extensively studied the physiology, growth and development of plants in order to improve sustainability and quality of crop production in greenhouses and vertical farms.
At the moment he is leading large multidisciplinary research programmes on vertical farming and on LED lighting in greenhouses in which universities and private companies cooperate.
About Wageningen University & Research, Horticulture and Product Physiology Group
Horticulture and Product Physiology (HPP) is one of the chair groups of Wageningen University and Research. The role we play is to foster the science of the supply chain for crops produced under controlled environment agriculture (greenhouses and vertical farms).
The focus of the group is on controlled environment agriculture and the post-harvest quality of products produced in greenhouses and vertical farms. Responses of physiological processes to the environment are studied aiming to predict and control the phenotype of the plant and plant products. Growth and development of plants as well as product quality are studied as emergent properties of underlying physiological and genetic processes. Research fields such as phenotyping, (LED) light regulation of plant processes and functional-structural plant modelling are gaining increasing prominence. Read more about the group on the website.
Leo Marcelis will speak at the 2023 edition of the Agrifood Innovation Event in the Vertical Farming session.