Science Of The Day
Out of context: Reply #228
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- i_monk0
Here we show that wheat grown on a single hectare of land in a 10-layer indoor vertical facility could produce from 700 ± 40 t/ha (measured) to a maximum of 1,940 ± 230 t/ha (estimated) of grain annually under optimized temperature, intensive artificial light, high CO2 levels, and a maximum attainable harvest index. Such yields would be 220 to 600 times the current world average annual wheat yield of 3.2 t/ha. Independent of climate, season, and region, indoor wheat farming could be environmentally superior, as less land area is needed along with reuse of most water, minimal use of pesticides and herbicides, and no nutrient losses. Although it is unlikely that indoor wheat farming will be economically competitive with current market prices in the near future, it could play an essential role in hedging against future climate or other unexpected disruptions to the food system.
- I think the amount of infrastructure needed to be built to compete with the millions of acres of farmland would be an environmental disaster alone.zarkonite
- I don't think it's meant to compete or replace, but there are definite advantages/savings when you consider these can be built in urban areas.i_monk
- Also, people need to stop being afraid of GMO crops. It’s as anti-science as flat-earthersGnash
- ... almost as anti scienceGnash