Document Type : Applied Article
Authors
1
PhD student in Water Science and Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
2
Professor. Department of Water Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
3
Professor, Department of Water Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
4
Ph.D. in Agricultural Ecology, Retired Lecturer, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22067/jwsd.v13i2.2602-1505
Abstract
With the intensification of the water crisis, transitioning to high-efficiency agricultural systems is a strategic necessity for Iran. However, vertical farming faces implementation barriers due to the lack of comparative field data on different systems under real-world conditions. This study provides a quantitative analysis of water use efficiency (WUE) in three common cylindrical vertical farming systems (hydroponic, soilless, and soil-based) under semi-arid open-field conditions. The field research was conducted in Mashhad using a three-factor factorial design (cultivation system × plant species × vertical level) based on randomized complete blocks over two years. Lettuce, basil, and radish were cultivated in vertical structures, with irrigation and nutrition management standardized. Results from the mixed-effects model showed that the main effect of cultivation system on WUE was significant. The hydroponic system (7.46 g/L) and soil-based system (7.23 g/L) were in the same superior statistical group, while the soilless system (5.31 g/L) showed lower performance. Plant species was the strongest factor, with WUE based on fresh weight for radish (9.04 g/L), basil (5.96 g/L), and lettuce (4.97 g/L). Radish achieved maximum efficiency in the soil-based medium. Plants at middle and lower levels performed better than those at the upper level. Although hydroponic is technically the most efficient, the soil-based system, with its close efficiency, lower cost, and compatibility with local conditions, represents a more practical solution for Iran. Selecting appropriate species and managing cultivation height are essential for optimizing performance.
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