Feasibility Study of Using Siphonic Semi-hydroponics Cultivation System in Plant Factory

• Main Authors: Hsiao-An Chang, 張孝安
• Other Authors: Liaw, Chao-Hsien
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/93640247864818707426

碩士 === 國立臺灣海洋大學 === 河海工程學系 === 102 === This study aims to explore the existing plant factory images and issues, in the hope of developing an original business model to establish an agricultural method acceptable to society and which can contribute to sustainable development. Among the existing plant factory approaches, the Siphon Vertical Cultivation System works in the existing vertical farming environs as an intensive cultivation method, and allows for innovative new intensive plant farming production modalities. During the evolution of the plant factory, the challenges included: excessive overhead for establishing plant factories and operations, over concentration of plant types and quantities, limit to the variety of cultivated species, lack of qualified professionals, while limits to development also included factors such as: overdependence on innovative technology contrary to biological laws, lack of incorporation of traditional cultivation management and technology, and overall energy efficiency insufficient for reasonable overhead costs. The study proposes many recommendations for developing the field, including improving equipment and marketing as well as pricing and other practical solutions. The study also considers strawberries as an ideal plant for intensive plant factory cultivation, adjust seasonal supply and demand to accord with surveys of market price fluctuations, and after long term observation, considering the products themselves and their relation with the marketplace, re-establish reasonable plant factory development directions. The study conceives an experimental model focusing on the feasibility of crop survival and systems development process, to propose practical applications and implementation. The study also explores comparative efficacy of intensive cabinet cultivation and total manual environmental control, exploring the benefits and feasibility in the community, specifically stimulating community revitalization through refined and localized new industrial structures, enhancing employment opportunities and increasing community identity. To summarize the conclusions obtained from this study in regard to the developing trends, it should be noted that agriculture is core to the Taiwan economy, and essential to the livelihood of the public, as well as being a very large component of the economy. Participants in the study and actual industry participants may have some differences of points of view and capabilities, so it is essential to first establish the common ground of a consensus which both can accept, and to incorporate technological management approaches into the traditional sustainable agriculture production methods, establishing homeostasis between innovation and tradition, doubt and acceptance, rejection and inclusion. As for the feasibility of incorporating the Siphon Vertical Cultivation System into plant factory operations, exploring the case study of a novel strawberry production plant factory, long-term experimental observation and overhead costs for practical production results empirically demonstrate that existing plant factory operational challenges and limitations can indeed be overcome, resulting in breakthroughs in traditional production and operating modalities which serve to inform the study's research results for practical implementation and widespread promotion.