Boosting client lettuce yields
Over 2024 trials were conducted at a European client’s indoor growing facility using LettUs Grow’s Aeroponic Rolling Bench (ARB) system to trial the benefits of Advanced Aeroponics with a specific lettuce cultivar.
The trials were done as part of the consideration to include the ARB product in the expansion of the client’s growing operations.
Across 3 trials, the client’s yield target was consistently exceeded:
45kg/m²/year
A new target was introduced, which the product again surpassed:
60kg/m²/year
The client’s target benchmark of 45kg/m²/year was beaten by:
35%
“Achieving a 10% uplift in yield suddenly makes this a very interesting proposition that we would prioritise over other systems.”
Key results
The trials demonstrated that using LettUs Grow’s ARB product delivered higher yields and an improved quality of lettuce. Several factorswere noted regarding an improvement to the production, these include:
Increased harvest yields
The trials achieved average yields of 61kg/m2/year, substantially beating the client’s benchmark of 45kg/m2/year by over 35%.
Removal of peat
The soilless cultivation method removed growing media contamination from previous substrates, which was a desirable outcome alongside enabling the customer to move away from peat.
Improved plant quality & health
The harvested leaves were significantly drier compared to those grown on standard benches, representing a considerable advantage to shelf-life. The root health was described as “incredible” by the client.
Next steps
The validation trials have conclusively demonstrated that Advanced Aeroponics has significantly improved both the growth rate and quality of lettuce compared to hydroponics. The focus of the project is now on the integration of the ARB product platform into the client’s existing processes. The necessary adaptations and process refinements are well-understood and readily addressable, paving a clear and exciting path forward to scaling up with Advanced Aeroponics towards widespread commercial growing applications in Europe.
The science behind Advanced Aeroponics™
Advanced Aeroponics is a soilless cultivation method where plant roots are suspended in the air and irrigated with a nutrient-dense mist generated using our patented ultrasonic technology. This method has been shown to boost plant yields by over 20% and increase growth rates over hydroponics by providing roots with higher oxygen levels, promoting healthier and faster growth. Research by Wageningen University Research (WUR) has shown that aeroponic systems provide roots with the oxygen they need to thrive, as evidenced by significantly fewer aerenchyma (air channels formed in roots when oxygen is limited) compared to hydroponically grown plants.
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Increase growth rates by 20% compared to hydroponics.
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Greater oxygen availability to the root zone, promoting healthier plant growth.
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Less water and fertiliser than typical hydroponic methods.
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Growing media is much drier in aeroponic systems, reducing disease build-up.
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Aeroponics provides the essential water and nutrients to a plant roots without irrigating the canopy or flooding the growing media.
Talk to us
Talk to our team about trialling Advanced Aeroponics™ in your facility or exploring a commercial project.