Already at the end of May, the English company Airponix plans to harvest the first potato crop grown without soil. According to the authors, this is a promising step towards a new technology for growing potatoes and vegetables with minimal costs and environmental burdens.
In the new 1000 m greenhouse2, located in the county of Norfolk, potatoes are grown in long polyethylene sleeves, into which fine mist containing all the necessary macro- and microelements is periodically fed with the help of injectors.
According to Michael Rouge, one of the founders of the company, experiments have shown that using this technology, you can grow potatoes and other crops at significantly lower costs than usual. The product quality is higher, which allows you to successfully compete in the market with traditional manufacturers.
Costs are relatively low, energy consumption is also low. Harvesting requires less manual labor, and potatoes do not need to be washed before selling. The dependence on weather conditions is also decreasing. This technology can also be applied in regions where traditional farming is impossible or difficult. The new technology also allows you to practically do without the use of plant protection products. According to the authors of the project, the use of fine spray technology is a significant improvement in other aeroponics methods. Small drops of solution are particularly suitable for growing rice, wheat and potatoes. The first potato harvest is expected in late May.
Source: https://www.fruit-inform.com