Which irrigation method is better for your vertical farm?

Vertical farming is a modern approach to the way plants are grown that is gaining popularity around the world. With the ability to grow plants on vertical columns or multi-story racks and systems of controlled conditions, crops from vertical farming can be harvested year-round, even in strict urban centers. At the same time, maintaining the highest food quality and a sustainable approach to resource consumption.

One of the key elements affecting the efficiency and success of a vertical farm is a proper irrigation system. Choosing the best irrigation method can significantly affect plant health, yields and operating costs.

In this article, we will look at the different irrigation methods used in vertical farms. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each, and point out which solutions work best in different growing conditions.

Comparison of irrigation methods

The most notable of the available irrigation methods for vertical farms are drip irrigation, aeroponics and hydroponics. In this blog post we will take a closer look at each of these methods, their advantages, disadvantages and best applications.

Drip irrigation – a well-known irrigation system in horticulture

Drip irrigation is a technique that involves delivering water directly to the roots of plants through a system of pipes and emitters. Water comes out of the emitters in the form of small droplets, which allows for precise irrigation of plants. Typically, this type of irrigation delivers water with nutrient solution to the plants “from the top” of the pot.

Source: Google

Advantages:

• the advantage of drip irrigation is the precise watering of plants inside large trays of substrate, such as coconut mats often used in strawberry cultivation.

Disadvantages:

• disadvantage is the need for regular maintenance of the emitters, which can easily become clogged. It is also a challenge to ensure adequate pressures on pipelines terminating in emitters.
• poor aeration of nutrient solution water.

Drip irrigation systems are often used, for example, for “green walls,” in the irrigation of greenhouse crops (tomatoes) and in traditional horticulture.

Aeroponic irrigation – NASA-style irrigation

Aeroponics is a method in which plant roots are suspended in the air and regularly sprayed with a nutrient-rich water mist. The roots are not submerged in water or soil, providing optimal growth conditions.

Source: Growth of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) in Aeroponics, DRF, and Raft Systems with Effluents of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Decoupled Aquaponics (s.s.)

Advantages:

• maximum aeration: Roots have constant access to oxygen, which promotes rapid plant growth.
• Resource efficiency: Aeroponics uses less water and fertilizer compared to traditional methods.

Disadvantages:

• Cost and complexity: Aeroponic systems are more expensive and complicated to install and maintain.

Hydroponic irrigation – efficiency and reliability

Hydroponics is a technique in which plants are grown soilless in an aqueous solution containing essential nutrients. Plant roots are submerged in water or kept moist by means of an inert medium.

Hydroponics itself has several irrigation systems in its group:

• NFT flow system, in which water with nutrient solution washes over plant roots by flowing through them at a preset flow rate,
• Ebb and Flow flooding system, in which water with nutrient solution temporarily raises its level washing over the roots.
• And other hybrids of various systems, such as DWC.

Source: Canva

Advantages:

• faster growth: plants grown hydroponically grow faster due to direct access to nutrients.
• Very good aeration of plant roots.
• Cheaper and easier to maintain than aeroponic irrigation.

Best applications: Hydroponics is suitable for a wide range of plants, from leafy vegetables to fruits and herbs. It is ideal for vertical and greenhouse crops.

Effect of irrigation on plant growth

Proper selection of an irrigation system is key to ensuring rapid and healthy plant growth. The system is selected keeping in mind, among other things:

• the species and its physiological requirements,
• the medium in which we want to grow the plant,
• the environment – whether the crop is grown, for example, in the ground, under tunnels, in a greenhouse, or in completely isolated systems (such as vertical farms).

Source: Hydropolis

Drip irrigation, aeroponic and hydroponic irrigation allow:

• Precise irrigation: adjusting the amount of water according to the plants’ needs, which minimizes water loss and prevents overwatering.
• Better yields: Irrigation that is regular and tailored to the plants’ needs contributes to increased yields and crop quality.
• Disease prevention: Optimal irrigation reduces the risk of root diseases associated with excessive soil moisture
• Water circulation: Multiple use of water in closed circulation systems results in significant savings.
• Precise resource management: Advanced technologies allow monitoring and automatic adjustment of irrigation to the needs of plants at different stages of growth.
• Optimizing conditions: Precision irrigation combined with control of other environmental factors (such as light and temperature) creates ideal conditions for growth.
• High quality products: Precise irrigation management translates into high quality crops grown, which is important for both consumers and producers.

The use of irrigation on vertical farms

On vertical farms, the most common irrigation system is hydroponics. It is a system that requires a relatively small investment to keep the crop running while guaranteeing a high yield and sustainable use of resources.

Water along with nutrient solution irrigates plants based on the closed-loop principle. After flowing through the roots of the plants and providing them with the appropriate nutrients – the nutrient solution is recultivated, the parameters are stabilized, missing components are replenished and it is fed back into the system.

Thanks to these methods and the possibility of recovering water from the atmosphere – vertical farms use up to 95% less water compared to traditional agriculture.

Source: Hydropolis

Which method is best for your farm?

Choosing the right irrigation system for a vertical farm depends on a number of factors, such as the type of crops grown, resource availability and budget. Drip irrigation offers water savings and precise nutrient delivery, but requires regular maintenance. Aeroponics provides rapid plant growth due to excellent root aeration, but is more complicated and expensive. Hydroponics, on the other hand, allows rapid plant growth under compact conditions, but requires careful monitoring.

Each of these methods has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, which should be taken into account when planning a vertical farm. The final choice should be tailored to individual needs and growing conditions to ensure healthy plant growth and maximum production.

The choice of irrigation is an individual issue – tailored to the requirements under specific plants. According to Hydropolis practice, we would recommend:

• for plants like herbs and lettuces – hydroponic irrigation,
• for fruiting plants – hydroponic or drip irrigation,
• for bulb crops – aeroponic irrigation.

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